For patients who feel nervous, overwhelmed, or uneasy at the dentist, sedation dentistry can be truly life-changing. Sedation dentistry makes it possible to receive the dental care you need in a calm, comfortable, and stress-free way. At Broadway Dental of Pearland, our sedation options are designed to help you relax during your visit—whether you’re coming in for a routine appointment or a more complex procedure.
With personalized care, multiple sedation choices, and even Saturday appointments available, we make it easier to fit dentistry into your life without fear or discomfort.
Reduce Your Stress
Dental anxiety and phobias are more common than many people realize, and they are nothing to be embarrassed about. Many patients have some level of anxiety surrounding going to the dentist. Some patients do well with routine exams but may feel more anxious about more intensive procedures. Other patients have more severe anxieties or dental phobias and may require sedation dentistry for the majority of their treatments.
That’s why our team takes a compassionate, judgment-free approach and works closely with you to find the sedation option that best fits your needs.
Sedation dentistry helps reduce stress, ease tension, and create a more comfortable dental experience from start to finish. By helping you feel relaxed during treatment, sedation allows you to move forward with important dental care without unnecessary worry or discomfort. Broadway Dental of Pearland offers safe, effective sedation options to support both your comfort and your long-term oral health.
Call our Pearland office today to schedule a consultation or learn more about how sedation dentistry can help you feel at ease during your next visit.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry helps you feel more relaxed during dental appointments. Our office uses different kinds of medication, given via gas, pill, or IV, that soothe stress. With sedation dentistry, you can feel more relaxed during your appointments, which helps you get a variety of dental treatments, from a simple cleaning to longer full mouth rehab.
Am I Fully Unconscious with Dental Sedation?
Sedation doesn’t always mean being fully unconscious. Unlike general anesthesia, our mild to moderate sedation options help you relax and feel comfortable. You may feel drowsy or even drift off, but you won’t be completely put under. Our dental sedation options help you enter a sleepy state where you aren’t as sensitive to pain or discomfort, but you are still conscious.
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Top Benefits of Sedation Dentistry in Pearland
Sedation dentistry has many wonderful pros for patients. Some of the reasons to consider sedation dentistry include:
- Feeling More Relaxed at the Dentist: The most obvious benefit of sedation dentistry is that you’ll feel more relaxed. You can lower your anxiety levels during all kinds of treatments and feel calmer during your appointments.
- Receiving Vital Dental Care: One of the most important advantages of sedation dentistry is ensuring you receive the dental care you require. It’s easy to put off going to the dentist if you feel stressed, but routine visits are crucial to having a healthy, pain-free smile.
- Saving Time with More Efficient Appointments: If you have issues like a strong gag reflex or difficulty staying calm during your visits, it can take longer to finish an appointment. This can make the experience more stressful for you. With sedation dentistry, appointments are generally faster and easier.
- Increasing Your Comfort: We want you to feel as comfortable as possible when you’re with us! While we realize dental appointments aren’t always fun, we do what we can to make the process more enjoyable, or at least less stressful. With conscious sedation, you can feel more comfortable.
- Creating More Positive Associations with Dental Health: If you’ve had difficult experiences with the dentist in the past, it’s natural to feel hesitant or have dental anxieties. With sedation dentistry, you can start to foster a more positive feeling toward dental care.
Sedation dentistry is designed to help you, as a patient, receive dental care without stress. If you want to know about sedation dentistry for you, give our office a call.
Our Sedation Dentistry Services
Sedation dentistry is a safe and effective way to feel more relaxed during dental treatments. We provide three kinds of sedation dentistry: nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation.
These options allow you to remain conscious during your visit, but they offer differing degrees of sedation. Dr. Allouch will help you determine which sedation method is best for your needs, considering factors like your medical history, anxiety levels, and the length of the treatment you are receiving.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is commonly known as laughing gas. This is an odorless, colorless gas that you inhale using a mask-like appliance. This type of anesthetic is very safe; it is mild enough for children to use.
With nitrous oxide, you’ll feel more comfortable and calm during treatments, as the gas helps your nervous system slow down. You may also feel a bit giddy or euphoric, but you’ll be fully conscious and can respond to questions.
Another good thing about laughing gas is that the effects go away quickly. Once you stop inhaling gas, it only takes around five to ten minutes for the effects to wear off, which means you can drive home from your appointment unless otherwise advised by your dentist.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation, or oral conscious sedation, comes in the form of a pill that you take about an hour before your treatment. You will pick the pill up from your pharmacist before the appointment.
With oral sedation, you may feel tired or even fall asleep, however, you won’t be unconscious and can easily wake up. Oral sedation is a bit heavier than nitrous oxide and impacts your motor skills, so you’ll need to have someone drive you home from your appointment. The effects will usually subside after a few hours, so you can resume your normal life the next day.
If you would like to try this form of sedation dentistry before your procedure, talk with Dr. Allouch at your next appointment.
IV Sedation
IV (intravenous) sedation dentistry involves administering medication directly into the bloodstream to produce a deep state of relaxation. While you remain conscious and able to respond, most patients feel extremely calm and have little to no memory of the procedure afterward.
IV sedation is carefully monitored and adjusted in real time, allowing Dr. Allouch to maintain the ideal level of comfort throughout your appointment. Some benefits specific to IV sedation are:
• Deep relaxation with minimal awareness of treatment
• Little to no memory of the procedure
• Ability to complete more treatment in fewer visits
• A calm, controlled experience from start to finish
Our approach is always judgment-free. We understand that anxiety is not a choice, and our goal is to help you feel safe, respected, and supported every step of the way.
What Type of Conscious Sedation Is Best for Me?
Dr. Allouch will discuss your options beforehand to determine if nitrous oxide, oral conscious, or IV sedation is best for you. We will consider your medical history, comfort levels, and more.
Nitrous oxide is generally best for patients with only mild anxiety. It is also effective at reducing the gag reflex. It doesn’t require planning, so you can decide part way through your appointment if you need to! With nitrous oxide, you can drive yourself to and from the appointment. Feel free to bring someone with you for support if you need it.
Oral conscious sedation, on the other hand, is best for patients with higher stress levels around the dentist. It’s also a good option if you’re receiving a longer treatment, such as a root canal or dental crowns. Oral sedation requires planning ahead, as you’ll need someone to drive you to and from the appointment.
IV sedation provides a deeper level of relaxation and is ideal for patients with significant dental anxiety, strong gag reflexes, or complex treatment needs. Administered directly into the bloodstream, IV sedation works quickly and allows Dr. Allouch to adjust the level of sedation throughout your visit. Patients typically feel very relaxed and remember little to nothing about the procedure, and a driver is required afterward.
What About General Anesthesia?
General anesthesia is a sedation option that puts you fully to sleep for heavier procedures. Because of the strength of this sedation, general anesthesia must be administered and monitored by an anesthesiologist. For this reason, it is usually administered in a hospital or surgery center setting and is only offered in dental offices where they can have a trained anesthesiologist on hand.
We do not offer general anesthesia at Broadway Dental of Pearland at this time, but if your health necessitates having stronger sedation during a certain procedure, we can refer you to a trusted dental partner in the area.
Who Can Benefit from Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry has advantages for many patients who come to visit Broadway Dental of Pearland. Depending on the procedure, type of sedation, and medical history, people of all ages can receive sedation dentistry, even children.
Generally, sedation dentistry is a good option for anyone who has:
- Fears around seeing the dentist
- Very sensitive teeth
- A strong gag reflex
- Resistance to local anesthesia
- Fears of needles or other medical fears
- Difficulty controlling their movements
- Unique physical, cognitive, or behavioral needs
Sedation dentistry can help all kinds of patients, including you. Whether you have a medical condition that makes dental procedures more difficult or just get stressed out while in the dental chair, we want to make the experience as easy as possible!
When you have dental anxieties or other issues surrounding dental visits, you may avoid getting dental treatments. Without consistent care, you’re more likely to have long-term problems, such as gum disease, tooth loss, and more.
Sedation dentistry ensures you have healthy, functional teeth without the stress.
The IV Sedation Process: What to Expect
Since IV sedation is different from general anesthesia, many people wonder what the process is. We know that keeping our patients informed helps reduce anxiety and allows for a smoother and calmer experience. This well-planned treatment experience is designed around your comfort and safety.
Step 1: Personalized Consultation
Your visit begins with a thorough review of your medical history, medications, and treatment needs. Using advanced diagnostics such as Vatech Smart CBCT/Pano imaging and digital Vatech sensors, Dr. Allouch ensures your treatment plan is precise and appropriate for IV sedation.
Step 2: Day of Treatment
On the day of your procedure, the sedation medication is administered and carefully monitored throughout your visit. You’ll begin to feel relaxed within minutes. Many patients describe the sensation as calm, heavy, and worry-free.
Our use of quiet Kavo electric handpieces and modern techniques further enhances comfort by minimizing noise and vibration during treatment.
Step 3: During the Procedure
While sedated, you remain responsive but deeply relaxed. Time often feels shortened, and many patients remember little to nothing afterward. This allows Dr. Allouch to complete treatment efficiently while you remain comfortable.
Step 4: Recovery and Aftercare
After your procedure, you’ll rest briefly before being released to a trusted adult who can drive you home. We’ll provide clear post-treatment instructions and follow-up to ensure a smooth recovery.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Sedation Dentistry?
The amount of time it takes to recover will vary depending on the type of sedation you receive. The way each person’s body responds to the medication can also vary.
In most cases, it takes around 10–20 minutes to recover after nitrous oxide. After this point, you should be able to safely drive home. We will have you wait at the office until you are awake enough to safely leave the appointment. You can resume normal daily activities like work and school right after your appointment.
For people who receive oral conscious sedation, it can take around 24 hours to fully recover, which is why you can’t drive yourself home from the appointment. You’ll need to go home and rest and sleep before you can return to normal daily activities the next day. Some people may take a bit longer to recover, but you should be back to your usual self in a couple of days.
If you received IV sedation, the effects wear off gradually after treatment. You may feel drowsy for several hours, which is why you’ll need someone to drive you home.
Please give us a call if you have concerns. You’ll also be able to ask as many questions as you need during your appointment.
Patient Experiences That Speak for Themselves
For many patients, choosing sedation dentistry is about more than comfort—it’s about finally feeling understood. We often hear from individuals who have avoided dental care for years due to anxiety, past negative experiences, or fear of discomfort. After experiencing sedation dentistry, their perspective changes completely. For many, a treatment with sedation dentistry becomes the turning point that makes routine care and a healthier smile feel achievable again.
Answers to Common Questions About Sedation Dentistry
Deciding whether sedation dentistry is right for you often starts with understanding how it works and what you can expect before, during, and after your visit. We understand that anxiety, safety, and recovery are common concerns, and we believe informed patients feel more confident in their care.
Below are answers to the questions we hear most often from adults considering sedation dentistry.
How should I prepare for a sedation appointment?
Preparation depends on the type of sedation used. You may be asked to avoid eating or drinking for a period of time before your appointment and arrange for someone to drive you home. Specific instructions will be provided in advance so you know exactly what to expect.
What is recovery like after sedation dentistry?
Most patients feel groggy for several hours following treatment. It’s recommended that you rest for the remainder of the day and avoid driving or making important decisions until the effects fully wear off.
Are there any risks of sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is overall very safe. While there are some potential issues, such as allergic reactions in very rare cases, other medications can address these issues. Before sedation dentistry, we will also make sure you don’t take any medications that may react poorly with sedation dentistry.
While sedation dentistry is safe for the vast majority of patients, you may notice some short-term side effects, such as:
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- Dry Mouth
Is sedation dentistry safe for children?
Sedation dentistry is also generally safe for kids. Parents may feel understandable worry about conscious sedation for their children. But, luckily, the side effects for children are also short-term. These include:
- Snoring
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Irritability
We will also monitor your child when they wake up to make sure they can go home safely. Most side effects will wear off within a couple of hours.
If you notice lingering side effects or have concerns, don’t hesitate to call our office!
Experience Anxiety-Free Dentistry at Broadway Dental of Pearland
Whether you have severe dental anxiety or just get stressed about certain procedures, sedation dentistry could be the solution that eases your mind. We want all of our patients to get the quality of care they deserve without the stress, so we will work with you to personalize your treatment details and ensure your comfort.
Sedation dentistry can be paired with many procedures, even routine ones, so if you feel extra stressed about visiting our office, don’t hesitate to ask about sedation dentistry. We want you to feel at ease and have your needs met when you visit our Pearland office; sedation dentistry can provide comfort and ensure vital dental care.
Contact Broadway Dental of Pearland today to request an appointment!
Meet the Doctor
Dr. Allouch earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. He continues his advanced training at the Kois Center in Seattle, WA, which focuses on research-based education. He is part of the elite 6% of general dentists in the U.S. to earn a Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry, and he holds an Associate Fellowship with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. Allouch specializes in Comprehensive and Implant Dentistry and in enhancing patients’ total health.
