Sedation Dentistry in St. Louis Park, MN

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients feel more relaxed during dental treatment. It’s commonly recommended for patients who:

• Experience dental fear or anxiety
• Need extensive or multiple procedures in one visit
• Have difficulty sitting still for long periods
• Have a strong gag reflex or dental sensitivity
• Are undergoing oral surgery or complex treatment

At Creekside Dental, we provide oral sedation, IV sedation, and nitrous oxide sedation depending on your needs, health history, and comfort level.

Types of Sedation We Offer

We take time to explain each sedation option, answer your questions, and choose the most appropriate level of sedation for your procedure.

1. Oral Sedation

Oral sedation involves taking a prescribed anti-anxiety pill before your appointment. While you’ll remain awake and responsive, you’ll feel deeply relaxed and may remember very little of the procedure. You’ll need someone to drive you to and from your visit, as the effects can last for a few hours.

This is a great option for patients with moderate dental anxiety or those undergoing longer procedures such as wisdom teeth removal or multiple restorations.

2. IV Sedation

IV sedation is administered intravenously and offers the deepest level of conscious sedation we provide in-office. You’ll remain conscious but may drift in and out of light sleep. IV sedation is ideal for patients with severe anxiety, complex surgical needs, or a history of avoiding dental care altogether.

Our trained clinical team monitors you throughout the entire procedure to ensure your safety and comfort.

3. Nitrous Oxide

Commonly known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is inhaled through a small mask placed over your nose. It works quickly to create a calm, euphoric feeling and wears off within minutes after the mask is removed. Nitrous oxide is safe for both adults and children and is often used during children’s dentistry visits or routine procedures to reduce anxiety.

Because the effects wear off quickly, you can drive yourself home after treatment with nitrous oxide.

Procedures That May Involve Sedation

Sedation can be added to almost any procedure depending on your comfort level. Common services where sedation is frequently used include:

• Tooth extractions
• Wisdom teeth removal
• Root canal therapy
• Dental implant surgery
• Full-mouth rehabilitation or multiple restorations
• Emergency dental procedures

Even routine procedures like dental cleanings can be made more comfortable with light sedation for patients with high anxiety or sensory sensitivities.

Is Sedation Dentistry Right for You?

The best way to know if sedation is appropriate is to discuss your concerns with our team. During your visit, we’ll review your medical history, talk about your previous dental experiences, and help you determine the safest and most effective option.

At Creekside Dental, we take every patient’s comfort seriously — and we’ll never rush or pressure you into care you’re not ready for. Our sedation options are just one part of our broader patient-first philosophy, designed to make dentistry more accessible and stress-free for everyone.

Safe, Monitored Care You Can Trust

Our dentists, Dr. Gabe De Los Rios and Dr. Robert Laing, are experienced in delivering sedation dentistry in a safe, controlled environment. We use advanced dental technology to guide treatment and continuously monitor your vital signs throughout the procedure.

If you’re enrolled in our Membership Plan, we’ll review which sedation services may be covered or discounted and ensure you understand your options before beginning treatment.

Serving Anxious Patients Across St. Louis Park

Creekside Dental provides sedation dentistry to patients throughout St. Louis Park, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Richfield, and surrounding Minneapolis neighborhoods. Whether you’ve been avoiding the dentist for years or simply want to feel more at ease during treatment, we’re here to help.

From a relaxing waiting room environment to sedation options tailored to your needs, we’re committed to changing the way you feel about going to the dentist.