If the thought of sitting in a dental chair makes your heart race, you are far from alone. Dental anxiety is one of the most common reasons people avoid the care they need, and the consequences of that avoidance, worsening oral health, more complex treatment, and higher costs down the road, are entirely preventable.
At Carrington Square Dental, Dr. Bhrita Parikh and Dr. Aakar Chokshi offer multiple sedation options to ensure that every patient, regardless of their anxiety level or the complexity of their treatment, can receive the care they deserve in comfort and with confidence. Your appointment should never feel like something to dread.
Sedation dentistry is not exclusively for patients with severe anxiety. It is a genuinely useful tool for a wide range of patients and situations. You may be a great candidate for sedation dentistry in Waxhaw, NC, if any of the following apply to you:
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is the lightest form of sedation available at Carrington Square Dental and an excellent option for patients with mild to moderate anxiety. It is administered through a small, comfortable mask placed over the nose, delivering a gentle, relaxing effect within minutes.
Patients remain fully conscious and able to communicate throughout their appointment, and the effects wear off almost immediately upon mask removal, allowing you to drive yourself home and resume your normal activities right away. Nitrous oxide is also a safe and well-tolerated option for children, making it one of our most frequently used comfort tools across a wide range of appointments.
Oral conscious sedation involves taking a prescribed medication, typically a benzodiazepine, before your appointment to produce a deeper state of relaxation than nitrous oxide alone. You will remain conscious and able to respond to questions, but most patients feel deeply calm, drowsy, and largely unaware of the details of their procedure.
Because the effects of oral sedation linger for several hours after your appointment, you will need a trusted adult to drive you to and from our office on the day of your visit. Oral sedation is a popular choice for patients with moderate to significant anxiety, those undergoing longer procedures, or anyone who wants to feel as removed from the experience as possible while remaining awake.
IV sedation is the deepest level of sedation we offer at Carrington Square Dental and is administered directly into the bloodstream through a small intravenous line, allowing Dr. Chokshi to precisely control your level of sedation throughout the procedure.
Patients under IV sedation are in a profoundly relaxed, sleep-like state and have little to no memory of their treatment afterward. It is the preferred option for complex surgical cases, full-arch implant procedures, patients with severe dental phobias, and anyone who needs significant work completed in a single appointment. As with oral sedation, you will need a responsible adult to drive you home following your visit.
At Carrington Square Dental, we have built a reputation throughout Waxhaw, Weddington, and Wesley Chapel for delivering comprehensive dental care in an environment where patient comfort is genuinely prioritized.
Our office is designed with anxious patients in mind, from our welcoming atmosphere and comfort amenities to our multilingual team and the unhurried, attentive care you receive from Dr. Parikh and Dr. Chokshi at every visit. We offer free sedation consultations for new patients so you can explore your options, ask your questions, and build trust with our team before committing to any treatment. If fear or anxiety has been keeping you out of the dental chair, we are here to change that experience entirely.
Depending on the type of sedation you are receiving, you may be asked to avoid eating or drinking for a period of time before your visit. If you are receiving oral or IV sedation, you will need to arrange for a trusted adult to drive you to and from the office.
Dr. Parikh or Dr. Chokshi will provide you with complete, personalized pre-appointment instructions at your consultation so you are fully prepared.
Your sedation will be administered, and Dr. Parikh or Dr. Chokshi will wait until you are fully comfortable before beginning any treatment. Your vital signs and sedation level will be monitored continuously throughout the procedure.
Most patients under oral or IV sedation have little to no recollection of the appointment itself, and many are surprised by how quickly it seems to be over.
Following your procedure, you will be given time to recover comfortably in our office before being cleared to leave. If you received oral or IV sedation, your designated driver will take you home, and you should plan to rest for the remainder of the day.
Any post-procedure instructions specific to your treatment will be provided in writing so you have a clear reference for your recovery.
With nitrous oxide and oral sedation, you remain conscious and able to communicate throughout your appointment. However, you will feel deeply relaxed and largely unaware of the details of your procedure.
IV sedation produces a sleep-like state, and most patients have little to no memory of their treatment. General anesthesia, which renders patients fully unconscious, is not the same as IV sedation and is not something we offer in our office.
Dr. Parikh or Dr. Chokshi will help you determine the best option based on your level of anxiety, your medical history, and the type of treatment you are receiving. This is exactly what your free sedation consultation is for: so you can ask every question you have and feel completely confident in your plan before your appointment day.
Absolutely. Sedation is available for any procedure at Carrington Square Dental, including routine cleanings and exams. If dental anxiety has been keeping you from attending regular appointments, sedation may be exactly what you need to get back on track with your oral health.
Nitrous oxide wears off within minutes of removing the mask. Oral sedation effects can linger for several hours after your appointment, and you should plan to rest at home for the remainder of the day. IV sedation recovery varies by patient but typically requires several hours of rest following your procedure.
Coverage for sedation varies by plan and by the type of procedure. Sedation associated with surgical procedures is more commonly covered than sedation for routine care. Our team will review your benefits and help you understand what your plan covers. Flexible financing is available through CareCredit, Sunbit, and Proceed Finance for any out-of-pocket costs.
It is completely normal to have questions or concerns about being sedated. Dr. Parikh and Dr. Chokshi take the time to walk every patient through the process in detail, answer every question thoroughly, and ensure you feel fully informed and comfortable before any sedation is administered. Your free sedation consultation is a no-pressure opportunity to get all the answers you need.
