Calm, comfortable visits
Sedation dentistry in Stuarts Draft.
If the dentist makes you anxious, you’re in good company. You have two well-established sedation options here — nitrous oxide for everyday relaxation and oral sedation for a deeper calm — so your visit doesn’t have to feel like an ordeal.
Nitrous oxide
Often called “laughing gas.”
A mild, inhaled sedation delivered through a small nose mask. You feel relaxed, light, sometimes a little floaty, and the appointment passes more easily.
- • Best for routine cleanings, fillings, and shorter visits.
- • Effects begin in minutes and wear off the moment the mask comes off.
- • You can drive yourself home.
Oral sedation
A pill taken before your appointment.
A prescribed pill that produces a deeper, calmer state than nitrous — you’ll be awake and able to respond, but most patients don’t remember much afterward.
- • Best for longer or more involved appointments.
- • Stronger anti-anxiety effect than nitrous.
- • You’ll need a ride home from a friend or family member.
Is sedation right for me?
A short checklist.
If you’d check any of these boxes, sedation might make your next appointment a much better experience. Bring it up when you book — we’ll talk through your medical history first.
- I get anxious before, during, or after dental appointments.
- I have a low pain tolerance or sensitive teeth.
- I have a strong gag reflex.
- I’ve put off dental work because of fear or bad past experiences.
- I have a longer or more involved procedure scheduled (root canal, implant, multiple fillings).
- I’d rather not remember most of the appointment.
Talk to us first
Calm visits, on your terms.
Sedation is always optional. If you’d like it, we’ll go through your medical history, explain how each option works, and answer every question before we start anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sedation dentistry — the questions we hear most.
What's the difference between nitrous oxide and oral sedation?
Nitrous oxide is a mild gas inhaled through a small nose mask — you stay fully aware, just relaxed and a little floaty, and the effects wear off within minutes of the mask coming off. Oral sedation is a prescribed pill taken before your visit that produces a deeper calm; most patients stay awake but don't remember much of the appointment afterward.
Can I drive home after sedation?
After nitrous oxide, yes — the effects clear within a few minutes of removing the mask. After oral sedation, no. You'll need a friend or family member to drive you to and from the appointment, and you should plan to take it easy the rest of the day. We confirm your ride before scheduling any oral sedation visit.
Is dental sedation safe?
Both nitrous and oral sedation are well-established options used in dental offices every day across the country. Dr. Weatherwax reviews your full medical history and current medications before sedation to make sure it's a good fit for you. We monitor your vitals throughout the visit and adjust if anything changes.
Does insurance cover sedation dentistry?
Most dental insurance plans don't cover sedation for routine work, though some do cover it for longer surgical procedures or for patients with documented dental phobia. We verify your specific coverage before treatment so there are no surprises. Virginia Dental Club members receive a discount on sedation fees regardless of insurance.
How do I know if sedation is right for me?
If dental visits make you anxious, if you have a strong gag reflex, if a longer procedure is scheduled, or if you've put off care for years because of fear — sedation may make a real difference. Bring it up when you book your appointment. We'll talk through your medical history and the options before you commit to anything.
New Patients Welcome
Ready to plan your visit?
Whether it’s been six months or six years since your last appointment, you’re welcome here. Getting started takes just a few minutes — and we’ll meet you where you are.