Sedation Dentistry in West Hills
If your heart rate climbs at the thought of a dental chair, or you've postponed a crown, an extraction, or even a routine cleaning because the experience feels like too much, you're not alone. Our team at 805 Dentistry works with patients from West Hills who have put off care for exactly this reason. Sedation dentistry gives you a calmer, more manageable way to get the treatment you need, and we help you choose the level of support that fits you.
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help you relax during dental treatment. It can range from feeling mildly calm and at ease to being deeply relaxed for longer or more involved procedures. At our Thousand Oaks office, sedation is part of our dental anesthesiology care, and we have a board-certified dental anesthesiologist on staff. That means the person guiding your sedation has dedicated, specialized training in this area.
For West Hills patients, this matters most when you're weighing whether you can face a procedure at all. Instead of white-knuckling through an appointment or canceling it again, you can plan treatment with sedation in mind from the start. We talk through your concerns, your health history, and the work you need, and then we recommend an approach together.
We offer three main sedation options, and each suits a different kind of patient and visit.
Nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, is breathed in through a small mask over your nose. It takes the edge off anxiety while you stay awake and responsive. It's a practical choice for patients with mild nervousness or for shorter visits like fillings or cleanings. Oral sedation is a prescribed medication taken by mouth before your appointment. It produces a deeper sense of relaxation than nitrous and works well for moderate anxiety or longer sessions. IV sedation is delivered directly into a vein, which allows our anesthesiologist to adjust your level of sedation throughout the procedure. It's often the right fit for significant dental fear or more complex treatment, such as wisdom teeth removal, surgical extractions, dental implants, or full mouth rehabilitation. For some situations, our anesthesiology team also offers general anesthesia, and we'll let you know if that's worth discussing.
Who is a good candidate for sedation dentistry?
Many patients are good candidates, especially those with dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, sensitivity to dental work, or a need for lengthy treatment. The best way to know for sure is a conversation with our team.
Because we provide a wide range of care under one roof, from root canal therapy and gum disease treatment to All-on-4 dental implants and bone grafting, sedation can support everything from a single visit to a multi-step treatment plan. Some patients choose sedation so they can complete more work in fewer appointments, which can make the trip from West Hills easier to schedule around work and family.
We see patients of all ages. For children, parents are welcome in the treatment room. We'll review which options are appropriate for younger patients and explain everything clearly before treatment begins.
What should I expect before, during, and after my appointment?
You can expect a clear plan, careful monitoring, and specific instructions for getting home and recovering. Here's how a typical sedation visit unfolds:
- Consultation: We review your medical history, medications, and anxiety level, then recommend a sedation option.
- Preparation: You receive written instructions tailored to your type of sedation, including any guidance on eating or arranging a ride.
- Treatment day: Our team administers your sedation and monitors you throughout the procedure.
- Recovery: We make sure you're ready to leave before you go home.
Aftercare depends on the type of sedation. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly, while oral and IV sedation take longer to fade. That's why we ask patients receiving those options to arrange for someone to drive them home and to rest for the remainder of the day. We'll send you home with instructions for both the sedation and the dental procedure itself.
If anything feels off after your visit, call us. We also offer emergency dental appointments, so West Hills patients have a dependable point of contact when they need one.
How can I pay for sedation dentistry?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, welcome self-pay patients, and offer financing. Coverage for sedation varies from plan to plan, so our team will help you understand what your insurance may contribute before you commit to treatment.
If you're paying out of pocket or facing a larger treatment plan, financing can spread the cost over time so it doesn't hold you back. We'll walk you through your options in plain terms during your consultation.
Led by Dr. Dar Radfar, our practice is built to be a one-stop shop for the whole family's dental care. If anxiety has kept you away from the dentist, we invite you to reach out from West Hills and start with a simple conversation about what would help you feel comfortable.