Sedation dentistry in Hollywood, FL
If fear has kept you away from the dentist, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to grit your teeth through treatment. Dr. Tamara Rojas, a board-certified periodontist with formal training in IV and nitrous sedation, offers nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation for gum treatment, extractions and implant surgery.
Trained in IV & nitrous sedationSedation may be a good fit if…
Cleveland Clinic describes sedation dentistry as medication that helps you feel less stressed during dental procedures. Dentists commonly recommend it in situations like these.
Three levels of sedation.
Every procedure still starts with local anesthetic to numb the area. Sedation is about how relaxed you are while we work.
Breathed in through a small nose mask, mixed with oxygen. You stay awake and can talk to us, and it wears off soon after the mask comes off — Cleveland Clinic notes you can usually drive yourself home.
A prescription pill taken about an hour before your visit. You’ll feel calm and drowsy and may doze off. You need someone to drive you home and shouldn’t drive for 24 hours.
Medication given through a vein works quickly and can be adjusted during the procedure. It suits severe anxiety and longer surgery; you may remember little afterward. A driver is required, and no driving for 24 hours.
I went back for sedation training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine because I kept meeting people who needed care and were too afraid to get it. Fear is a real reason people lose teeth, and I didn’t want it to be the reason for my patients.
We’ll talk about what worries you, choose the lightest option that will truly help, and you’ll know exactly what to expect before, during and after.
Dr. Tamara Rojas, D.M.D. · Board-Certified Periodontist · Read her background
What to expect, start to finish.
Tell us about your medical history, any pregnancy, and every medication you take. Some medications affect sedation and may need adjusting first.
For oral or IV sedation you’ll get instructions on when to stop eating and drinking, and you’ll arrange an adult to drive you home.
Dr. Rojas stays with you, checks how relaxed you are, and can adjust IV sedation as she goes. The area is numbed so you stay comfortable.
Plan to rest for the rest of the day after oral or IV sedation. Call us if you still feel groggy the next day.
Is dental sedation safe?
For healthy patients with a properly trained team, sedation is a routine part of dental care. The ADA’s MouthHealthy calls nitrous oxide “a safe and effective sedative agent.” For deeper (moderate) sedation, the American Dental Association’s guidelines require an evaluation of your medical history and medications before any sedative is given, continuous monitoring of oxygen levels with pulse oximetry along with blood pressure and heart rate, and a second team member trained in Basic Life Support in the room. (MouthHealthy: Nitrous Oxide; ADA Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists)
Our office holds a conscious sedation permit, and our team is trained in CPR and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Dr. Rojas earned her Conscious Patient Management with IV and Nitrous Sedation certificate from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2010, and our assistants are trained in surgery support and pain management.
Side effects are usually mild and short-lived. Cleveland Clinic lists drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, nausea and a small bruise where the IV was placed, most of which clear within a day. Sedation isn’t right for everyone — during pregnancy, for example, your dentist may suggest waiting — which is why the health review comes first. (Cleveland Clinic: Sedation Dentistry)
Plan your ride before your visit.
minutes to recover from nitrous oxide
no driving after oral or IV sedation
Sedation for the care you’ve been putting off.
Dental implants
Relax through implant placement, bone grafting and full-arch TeethXpress® surgery.
Dental implantsExtractions & oral surgery
Wisdom teeth, surgical extractions, sinus lifts and grafting.
Tooth extractionsGum disease treatment
Deep cleaning, LANAP® laser therapy and gum surgery.
Periodontal therapyAlso see TeethXpress® full-arch implants, the LANAP® protocol and oral surgery.
Sedation dentistry questions
Will I be asleep during sedation?+
Not fully. With nitrous oxide you stay awake and relaxed. With oral or IV sedation you stay conscious and able to respond, but you may doze off and remember little of the procedure afterward.
Do I need someone to drive me home?+
Yes for oral or IV sedation — you’ll need an adult to drive you, and you shouldn’t drive for 24 hours. After nitrous oxide alone, Cleveland Clinic notes most people can drive once it wears off, usually within 15 to 30 minutes.
Is sedation dentistry safe?+
For healthy patients, sedation given by a trained dentist with proper monitoring is a routine part of dental care. Dr. Rojas holds an IV and nitrous sedation certificate from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, our office holds a conscious sedation permit, and our team is trained in CPR and ACLS.
Can I eat before sedation?+
For oral or IV sedation you’ll usually need to stop eating and drinking for several hours beforehand. We’ll give you exact instructions when we schedule your visit.
Which type of sedation is right for me?+
It depends on how anxious you feel, how long the procedure is, and your health history. Many patients do well with nitrous oxide; IV sedation is usually reserved for severe anxiety or longer surgery. Dr. Rojas will recommend an option at your consultation.
Does insurance cover sedation?+
Coverage for sedation varies by plan and procedure. We accept most traditional insurance plans, verify your benefits and file claims for you, and offer financing, CareCredit for those who qualify, and an in-house dental plan.
Questions about cost? See insurance & billing and financing.
Nervous? Tell us. That’s where we start.
Book a consultation with board-certified periodontist Dr. Tamara Rojas in Hollywood, FL, and we’ll plan your care around your comfort.
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