Sedation Dentistry

Why sedation matters

Dental anxiety is more common than people realize. Between 20 and 30 percent of adults avoid needed care because of anxiety. At Meridian, we take this seriously. Every treatment room is equipped for nitrous oxide, and every patient has sedation options available for every procedure.

Nitrous oxide

Nitrous is the standard comfort option, available at no extra cost for every procedure. It takes effect in 3 to 5 minutes, wears off completely within 5 minutes of stopping, and you can drive yourself home. Many patients who thought they would never be comfortable at the dentist are surprised by how calm nitrous makes them.

Oral sedation

For patients with moderate anxiety, we prescribe a single oral medication taken an hour before the appointment. You remain conscious and responsive but deeply relaxed. You will need someone to drive you home.

IV sedation

For severe anxiety, complex cases, or patients who simply prefer it, we offer full IV sedation with a board-certified anesthesiologist on-site. You sleep through the procedure comfortably and safely. Most patients wake with no memory of the treatment.

Safety, monitoring, and disclosure

Every sedation case requires a medical history review, current medications check, and fasting instructions. We monitor vitals continuously during IV sedation using hospital-grade equipment. We document every protocol step and maintain sedation records for 10 years per New York state law.

Is sedation safe?

Yes, when delivered by the right team. Our anesthesiologist is board-certified, our monitoring equipment is hospital-grade, and our protocols follow ADA sedation guidelines to the letter. We review your medical history thoroughly before every sedation case.

Will I remember the procedure?

With nitrous, yes. With oral sedation, partially. With IV sedation, most patients remember very little or nothing. This is often exactly what anxious patients want.