Sedation Dentistry at Central Washington Oral & Facial Surgery

Central Washington Oral & Facial Surgery simplifies dental treatment, prioritizing relaxation and convenience. Fear of oral surgery can hinder necessary care, which is where sedation dentistry in Ellensburg WA, Moses Lake WA, and Wenatchee WA helps. Our experienced practitioners offer various sedation methods, ensuring all patients are treated comfortably and confidently, regardless of their comfort level or medical needs.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry involves administering drugs to calm people during dental procedures or surgeries. Although sometimes called "sleep dentistry," the patient is not asleep except under general anesthesia. Sedation can range from light relaxation to profound unconsciousness, depending on the procedure and patient factors.

It is beneficial for people who:

Experience dental fear or anxiety
Have a highly sensitive pain level
Require multiple or extensive procedures in one visit
Cannot sit still
Have a sensitive gag reflex
Need surgery on the mouth, such as wisdom tooth extractions or tooth implants.

Our Sedation Options

Central Washington Oral & Facial Surgery offers a full range of sedation methods, including the duration of the procedure, comfort level, and medical history.

Local Anesthesia
Local anesthetics block the area where treatment is being provided. It is utilized alongside other types of sedation to make the patient insensitive.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide is a weak sedative administered by breathing in a small mask over the nose. It induces euphoria and relaxation without knocking patients out or rendering them insensitive. The effect lasts relatively short, and hence, regular activities may be resumed almost immediately after treatment.
Oral Sedation
When given in the form of pills, oral sedation causes moderate sedation. The patient is relaxed and sleepy but remains awake. It is more appropriate for more anxious patients or more invasive procedures.
IV Sedation (Conscious Sedation)
IV sedation is administered intravenously and induces an even deeper state of relaxation. Very little is remembered by patients about the procedure, yet they do not sleep. It is typically most frequently used for surgery procedures such as dental implants and wisdom teeth extraction.
General Anesthesia
Saved for the more complicated or more advanced procedures, general anesthesia puts the patient out completely. It is given in a controlled hospital-grade setting with close observation of all required functions. This is most effective for special needs patients or patients with extensive surgery.

Who is an Ideal Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

At Central Washington Oral & Facial Surgery, we know that a visit to the oral surgeon is a cause of concern for many patients. That's why we have sedation dentistry—to make your visit as anxiety-free and as relaxing as possible. But who is most likely to benefit from sedation? The answer may be more people than you might have imagined.

Dental anxiety or phobia patients
Dental anxiety is one of the most common reasons patients avoid oral health care altogether. It's needles, having experienced something traumatic previously, or overall anxiety regarding dental clinics that can be reduced with sedation. We turn your comfort level down to what you need, from local anesthetic to IV sedation and general anesthesia.
Low pain tolerance
Others are naturally more sensitive to pain. Suppose local anesthesia is not fully eliminating the pain, or you feel like you are going to have trouble relaxing during your treatment. In that case, sedation gives you a level of relaxation, so your procedure is more tolerable.
Patients with a Strong Gag Reflex
Even a small procedure may threaten or intimidate an abnormally sensitive gag reflex. Sedation relieves the body's involuntary functions of tension, suppressing the gagging reflex and allowing operating personnel to perform the procedure properly.
Individuals Who Require Long or Complex Procedures
For patients with many extractions, full mouth implant placement, or jaw reconstruction surgery, sedation allows more to be accomplished in fewer visits. Sedation also relaxes you and allows you to be still during an extended visit with less mental and physical exhaustion.
Children or Patients with Special Needs
Pediatric patients and those with physical or mental challenges may require assessment for immobility during oral surgery. Sedation offers a safe environment for both the doctor and the patient. Our trained team prioritizes safety while managing sedation for patients of all backgrounds.

If you fit into one of the above categories—or even just aren't sure whether sedation would be a good solution for you—then we're here to help guide you toward making the most informed decision. Through your consultation, we'll discuss your medical history, treatment plan, and comfort level to determine the best type and amount of sedation for your case.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Choosing sedation dentistry at Central Washington Oral & Facial Surgery is more than a pleasant experience. It is a safer and even more efficient process.

Reduced Anxiety: Patients feel relaxed before, during, and after the procedure.
Pain Relief: Most forms of sedation also include analgesic relief.
Increased Efficiency: Physicians can complete tasks more efficiently with less movement and less anxiety.
Less Scheduling: Multiple procedures can be completed in one visit.
Enhanced Experience: The patient will remember nothing or little of the procedure, reducing follow-up apprehension.

Sedation Dentistry for Certain Procedures

Sedation is not just for anxious patients—it's a component of our surgical procedure that optimizes treatment by making it more efficient, effective, and comfortable. Central Washington Oral & Facial Surgery employs sedation regularly for numerous therapies to enhance the patient experience.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Third molars are one of the most frequent cases when patients must be sedated. Since the most frequent procedures are incisions, bone extraction, or highly impacted teeth, IV sedation or general anesthesia is most often utilized to avoid pain and postoperative recall.

Dental Implant Placement
Dental implants are precise and delicate and, in some cases, need to have a drill into the jaw and placement of a titanium post. This is a very successful and long-term method, but it does not calm patients. Sedation eliminates fear or discomfort, thereby making the procedure less unbearable.

Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is usually required before placing the implant, particularly if bone loss or trauma has occurred. And as much as that is about donor or synthetic bone material being placed in the jaw, sedation allows patients to relax completely and feel at ease with the more invasive section of the procedure.

Corrective Jaw Surgery
Orthognathic surgery is a complicated procedure requiring jaw alignment to function and align better. As the surgery is typically done under general anesthesia, the patients will be put to sleep during surgery. They won't feel anything while being operated on. Post-surgical recovery is reassuring because of the expert and controlled administration of sedation.

Whether you're coming in for a minor procedure or a complex surgical plan, our team ensures the appropriate use of sedation to minimize discomfort and reduce postoperative stress. At Central Washington Oral & Facial Surgery, your comfort isn't just an option—it's a priority.

What to Expect Before and After Sedation

Pre-Procedure

Consultation: Our team reviews your health history, current medications, and dental concerns.
Preparation: Instructions for pre-procedure fasting, transportation, and expectations.
Support: We need an adult escort for patients undergoing moderate to deep sedation.

Post-Procedure

Monitoring: We observe patients until they are alert and ready to be sent home.
Aftercare Instructions: Our staff gives complete instructions that make side effects or discomfort more bearable.
Follow-Up: Our staff calls patients after the procedure to make sure everything heals as it should and to answer any questions.

Meet Our Doctors

Central Washington Oral & Facial Surgery employs highly trained, board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons with great experience in sedation methods and patient safety.

Dr. Jeremiah Johnson, DDS, MD
Dr. Johnson is a physician-dentist who is board-certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery and has advanced training in hospital-based anesthesia to safely sedate even highly complicated cases. Patients appreciate his calm demeanor and commitment to individualized care.

Dr. Tyler McDonald, DDS
With his accuracy skill and empathetic bedside manner, Dr. McDonald specializes in extracting wisdom teeth and implant dentistry. He is ACLS-certified and remains current with the latest developments in sedation dentistry.

Dr. Brenen Olsen, DDS
Dr. Olsen is highly skilled in surgery and sedation. His approachable nature helps ease patient fears, and his attention to detail ensures exceptional outcomes. He is dedicated to working closely with patients to provide the optimum sedation technique for their cases.

Sedation Dentistry for Children and Teens

We are aware that oral surgery may be particularly frightening for children and adolescents. That is why we provide appropriate-aged sedation care that will make our pediatric patients feel calm, relaxed, and secure during treatment.

When It's Used
Sedation is also being prescribed for children who undergo procedures like the removal of wisdom teeth, the exposure of impacted teeth, or jaw surgery. Sedation is also helpful in special healthcare needs or those who refuse to sit still for treatment.
How Dosing Is Determined
Children's sedation doses are precisely measured based on age, weight, medical status, and procedure complexity. Our skilled surgical team adheres to strict guidelines for providing safe, effective sedation that meets the unique needs of each child.
Special Protocols for Young Patients
We take time to discuss everything in simple terms like pre-procedure preparation and how we monitor patient’s closely during procedures. Instructions for post-sedation are documented so that patients can recover safely at home.

Our staff is highly trained in pediatric sedation and dedicated to making your child's experience as painless as possible. Parents can leave their children in caring, experienced hands from beginning to end.

Why Central Washington Oral & Facial Surgery?

Central Washington Oral & Facial Surgery isn't your average dentist's office—our staff is a seasoned group of surgeons dedicated to quality and satisfaction. Wenatchee, Ellensburg, Moses Lake, and beyond come to us because:

Master Surgeons: Board-certified doctors with exceptional advanced surgical and sedation training.
Top-of-the-Line Facilities: Newly updated, state-of-the-art surgery suites built with your safety as a top priority.
Personalized Sedation Plans: We adapt our sedation method to suit your unique medical history and what is comfortable for you.
Full Care: We're with you from consultation to follow-up.
Died-down Atmosphere: Every member of our staff is trained to give you compassionate, respectful care in a non-judgmental atmosphere.

Payment Options & Insurance

At Central Washington Oral & Facial Surgery, we want sedation and oral surgery to be as affordable as possible. We have numerous different payment options available that can accommodate you.

Insurance
We are in-network with most major dental insurance carriers. Our office staff would be pleased to verify coverage, explain benefits, and file claims for you.

Financing with CareCredit
CareCredit offers patients the comfort of financing their care in easy monthly payments. In most situations, financing is typically available at zero or low interest rates based on your credit.

Other Options

Major credit and debit cards
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Checks and cash

Before you have surgery with us, we give you an accurate estimate of the total fee so there will be no surprises. We want to remove money concerns from your mind so that you'll worry less and heal more.

Make Your Appointment Today

Don't be afraid to care for the teeth you deserve. When you're getting wisdom teeth removed, dental implants, or some other form of oral surgery procedure, our sedation dentistry is designed to make your process go smoothly, successfully, and fearlessly.

Locations & Contact

We have three offices in Central Washington and are pleased to serve this community with convenient access. All offices are of the highest technology with state-of-the-art equipment and are led by highly trained professionals.

Ellensburg WA

Moses Lake WA

Wenatchee WA

Yakima WA