June 17, 2026 | Dr. Safina LeClair
Dental anxiety is common, and you are not alone. I have had patients finish treatment under sedation and ask when we were going to start - they felt that comfortable. Sedation dentistry can help you receive the care you need. I review your health history and explain nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and general sedation before recommending an option.
If dental anxiety keeps you from getting care, sedation options may help you feel more comfortable. At Ranunculus Dental, I offer nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and general sedation with an MD anesthesiologist in the office for appropriate cases. I review your health history and explain what each option involves before treatment.
Anxiety, a strong gag reflex, long appointments, or difficult past experiences lead many patients to postpone care. Sedation can make treatment feel more manageable so you can protect your oral health. I care about how you feel - not just your teeth.
Also called laughing gas, nitrous is inhaled through a small mask during treatment. It helps you relax and wears off quickly afterward, so you can usually resume normal activities the same day.
Prescription medication taken before your visit helps you feel calm and drowsy while remaining responsive. You will need someone to drive you to and from the appointment.
For longer or more involved procedures, general sedation provides a deeper level of relaxation. An MD anesthesiologist comes into our practice for general sedation when appropriate. I discuss candidacy, monitoring, and recovery before treatment - this is not IV sedation in a traditional sense, but supervised general anesthesia in a controlled setting.
Ranunculus Dental is at 2630 El Camino Real in Carlsbad, CA 92008. We welcome patients from Carlsbad and North County San Diego - including Escondido, Oceanside, Encinitas, Vista, and San Marcos - who want thoughtful, comprehensive dental care close to home.
I review your medical history and monitor you throughout treatment. I explain safety steps before and after your appointment.
It depends on the option. Nitrous keeps you relaxed but awake. Oral conscious sedation may make you drowsy. General sedation provides deeper relaxation with an MD anesthesiologist present.
You can usually drive after nitrous oxide once it wears off. Oral conscious sedation and general sedation require a responsible adult to drive you home.
Many anxious patients benefit from sedation when catching up on overdue care. I can discuss a comfortable plan to address your needs in stages if needed.
Depending on your health history and planned procedure, options may include nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and general sedation with an MD anesthesiologist when appropriate.
Individual results vary. This information is general in nature and not a substitute for a professional diagnosis or treatment plan.