What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry at our dental practice in Los Gatos, Top Down Dental, begins the night before your appointment. Dr. Nancy Nehawandian may prescribe an analgesic to help you sleep well and feel calm. On the day of your procedure, you’ll receive additional sedatives before treatment begins. As they take effect, you’ll enter a deeply relaxed, dream-like state—often referred to as “pseudo-sleep.” This process allows you to complete multiple treatments in a single visit while remembering little or nothing about the procedure itself. Because sedatives take several hours to wear off completely, you’ll need a trusted friend or family member to drive you home.

How Sedation Dentistry Can Help

Whether your goal is to enhance your smile with cosmetic dentistry, restore missing teeth with dental implants or bridges, or maintain a healthy smile with preventive care, sedation dentistry makes it easier to get the treatment you need without stress or fear. You can sit back, relax, and let us care for your smile while you stay completely comfortable.

NuCalm: Natural Relaxation Without Narcotics

In addition to traditional sedation methods, we offer NuCalm—a drug-free, science-backed relaxation system. NuCalm combines neuroacoustic software, light-blocking glasses, and gentle cranial electrotherapy stimulation to guide your brain into a state of deep relaxation in just minutes. Many patients describe feeling peaceful, refreshed, and alert afterward, making it an excellent choice for those who want to avoid narcotics but still enjoy a calm dental experience.

Are You a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

You might benefit from sedation dentistry if you:

  • Feel anxious or fearful about dental visits
  • Have had a traumatic dental experience in the past
  • Have difficulty getting numb with local anesthetics
  • Have highly sensitive teeth
  • Need to complete multiple treatments in one visit
  • Dislike the sights, sounds, or smells of dental offices
  • Avoid dental care due to fear or discomfort

It’s estimated that about 90% of adults are good candidates for sedation dentistry.

Comfort Beyond Sedation

At Top Down Dental, your comfort is our priority. In addition to sedation, we offer painless injections, noise-canceling headphones, movies, music, cozy blankets, and relaxing hand treatments to make your visit as stress-free as possible. If you choose sedation, your treatment will seem to pass quickly, and you’ll leave with a healthier, brighter smile—often ready to simply go home and relax.

Don’t let fear stand between you and the smile you want. Whether you need to restore your teeth, enhance your appearance, or maintain your oral health, sedation dentistry at our dental practice in Los Gatos can make it possible. Call Top Down Dental today at (408) 354-5600 to schedule your appointment.