If you’ve been searching for a sedation dentist in OKC because anxiety has kept you from getting the care you need, you’re not alone. Many Oklahomans postpone dental visits due to fear, dislike of the sounds, a sensitive gag reflex, or concerns other concerns. Modern sedation dentistry in Oklahoma City — sometimes called sleep dentistry — can change that experience completely, making appointments calm, efficient, and often surprisingly quick. Pair that comfort with today’s advances in dental implants and cosmetic dentistry, and you have a clear, confident path to the smile (and oral health) you’ve wanted for years.
Below is a comprehensive, plain-English guide from our OKC team — covering sedation options, how we keep you safe, whether you’re a candidate for dental implants in OKC, popular cosmetic dentistry treatments, and how to combine them into one streamlined, comfortable plan.
Why Sedation Dentistry (a.k.a. “Sleep Dentistry”) Is a Game-Changer
Anxiety isn’t a character flaw — it’s common, and dentistry has evolved to meet it. Sedation dentistry helps you relax, reduces awareness of sounds and sensations, and allows us to complete more treatment in fewer visits. The most common options include:
- Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) — a gentle, fast-acting inhaled option that takes the edge off and wears off quickly, so many patients can drive themselves afterwards. The American Dental Association notes nitrous oxide-oxygen, when used appropriately, is a safe and effective way to manage pain and anxiety in dentistry. More information can be found at the following link: https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/nitrous-oxide
- Oral conscious sedation — a prescribed medication taken before your visit to help you feel deeply relaxed while still responsive. Many patients describe the experience as “dreamy” with hazy memory of the appointment. (You’ll need a driver.) Reputable medical sources summarize the three most common types of dental sedation as nitrous, oral, and IV. my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22275-sedation-dentistry
- Light Sedation: We can also use a prescription medication like Valium to help decrease anxiety during your dental appointment. This medication starts to work pretty quickly after taken and has helped many people manage their dental anxiety.
Who Benefits from Sedation Dentistry?
You’re a great candidate for sedation dentistry in OKC if you:
- Feel anxious about any dental procedure — or haven’t seen a dentist in years.
- If you have a fear of needles
- If you have anxiety with the sights and sounds of having dental work
- Have a strong gag reflex or difficulty getting numb.
- Need multiple treatments and want to bundle them into fewer, longer visits.
- Have TMJ discomfort that makes it hard to keep your mouth open.
- Prefer to complete an implant or cosmetic plan efficiently.
With sedation, we can often group steps — such as extractions, grafting, or restorative work — so you reach the “fun part.” Your new smile sooner.
Dental Implants in OKC: Stable, Natural-Looking, Built to Last
If missing teeth or unstable dentures are affecting how you eat, speak, or smile, dental implants are the modern standard. An implant is a small, biocompatible post that fuses with your jawbone, supporting a custom crown, bridge, or full arch of teeth. Why OKC patients choose implants:
- Bite strength & stability: Eat confidently — crisp apples, steaks, salads — without adhesive worries.
- Jawbone support: When a tooth is lost, the jaw bone shrinks which can change your facial structure. Unlike removable dentures, implants stimulate bone to help maintain facial structure. (Professional implant groups note bone-support benefits as a key advantage.) https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/success-rate-dental-implants?utm_source
- Natural look & feel: Customized tooth colored crowns, bridges and denture restorations can be fabricated to match your smile seamlessly.
- Fixed convenience: Brush and floss like natural teeth (plus a few implant-specific hygiene tips we’ll teach you).
Are you a candidate?
If you can undergo routine dental care, you’re often a candidate for implants. Even many patients with controlled chronic conditions (like well-managed hypertension or diabetes).imaging, bone levels, and goals to confirm the best plan.
Cosmetic Dentistry in OKC: Subtle Refinements to Full Smile Makeovers
From teeth whitening and conservative bonding to porcelain veneers and implant-supported restorations, cosmetic dentistry can correct chips, discoloration, spacing, and tooth shape—often in just a couple of visits. A growing number of patients also add gum contouring or aligner therapy to fine-tune symmetry before placing veneers or final implant crowns. At Advances in Dentistry in OKC we have over 31 years of doing cosmetic dentistry. Designing beautiful smiles is an art and experience counts. Dr. Rhodes was voted Favorite Cosmetic Dentist in the 405 and has done cosmetic dentistry for many local celebrities and personalities.
Sedation + Implants + Cosmetics: One Streamlined, Comfortable Plan
Here’s how we commonly combine these services for OKC patients who want a faster, more relaxed path:
- Comfort-first consultation
We start by understanding your goals (smile, function, or both), anxiety level, and timeline. For many patients, we map out a sedation-assisted plan so more can be done per visit. We will complete an exam and some dental x-rays to assess your teeth, gums and bones and craft a customized treatment plan. - Prep day (often with oral sedation)
- Remove non-restorable teeth (if any)
- Perform bone grafting if needed
- Place implants and/or prep teeth for veneers/crowns
- Provide comfortable temporaries so you never leave without a smile
- Healing & customization
Implants typically integrate with bone over a period of months. During that time, we tweak shade/shape and refine cosmetics, so your final result looks like you — only brighter. - Final delivery & long-term maintenance
Meticulous bite adjustments, hygiene coaching, and a personalized recall schedule protect your investment. Studies tracking implants over many years support their durability when paired with healthy habits and professional care. https://adanews.ada.org/huddles/40-year-prognosis-of-single-tooth-dental-implants/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
What to Expect During Sedation Dentistry (Step-by-Step)
Before your visit
- We’ll review your medical history, medications, and fasting instructions (when applicable).
- You’ll arrange a driver for oral sedation.
- We confirm your goals and walk you through the day so there are no surprises.
During your visit
- Your vitals are monitored, and local anesthetic is still used so you remain comfortable during and after treatment.
- With nitrous oxide sedation, you feel relaxed within minutes. With oral sedation, you’ll feel deeply calm and likely remember very little afterwards. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22275-sedation-dentistry?utm_source=chatgpt.com
After your visit
- Most people rest the remainder of the day. We’ll give tailored after-care instructions, check in, and plan your next milestone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be “asleep” with sedation?
Not in the general-anesthesia sense. With nitrous and oral conscious sedation, you’re relaxed but responsive; many patients lightly doze and remember very little — but you’re still monitored and breathing on your own.. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22275-sedation-dentistry?utm_source=chatgpt.com
How successful are dental implants?
Published sources and professional organizations report success rates commonly in the mid-90% range over many years when patients are properly selected and maintained. Your personal risk depends on factors like smoking, oral hygiene, bite forces, and medical history.
Am I too anxious for a cosmetic makeover or implants?
Probably not. That’s exactly what sedation dentistry in OKC is for — so you can complete care comfortably and efficiently.
How long will treatment take?
Every case is unique, but sedation often lets us combine steps (extractions, grafts, multiple restorations) to reduce the total number of appointments. We’ll map a clear timeline at your consultation.
Your OKC-Focused Options (Local Notes)
Patients visit us from Edmond, Nichols Hills, Deer Creek, Northwest OKC, Moore, Yukon and Norman — often because sedation lets them finally tackle everything on their “someday” list. Whether you need a single implant and whitening or a full-arch solution paired with a smile makeover, we’ll build a plan that fits your schedule.
How We Build Trust: Experience, Safety, Outcomes
- Experience that matters: Our clinical team has decades of combined experience helping highly anxious patients complete care — comfortably.
- Transparent planning: You’ll see your imaging, hear your options (including non-implant choices), and know costs before we begin.
- Evidence-based care: We follow published guidelines and protocols for sedation, implant planning, and cosmetic materials.
Sedation Dentistry Scenarios We See Every Week in OKC
- “Haven’t been in years” makeover: We combine restorations with cosmetic steps under oral sedation, often finishing in 2 visits.
- “I want fixed teeth” implant cases: No problem. We can make a plan to have your teeth “fixed in place” or removable depending on your needs and budget.
- “I’m done with temporary fixes” smile design: Many people often only go to the dentist when there is an emergency or broken tooth. This leads to many people having “patchwork” dentistry. We will craft a custom treatment plan for you based on your needs and budget to get your entire mouth healthy so you can avoid emergencies and additional expense in the future.
Your First Visit: What to Bring and Expect
- Wish-list & priorities: Eating comfort? Confidence in photos? Fewer appointments? Tell us. We will map out a detailed plan to get your mouth healthy, beautiful, pain-free and functional.
- Medical list: Medications, allergies, and any recent changes.
- Timeline & budget: We’ll outline phases, sedation choices, and financing options to fit your goals.
At-Home Habits That Protect Your Investment
- Keep it clean: Meticulous home care + professional maintenance = fewer surprises. Brushing and flossing is extremely important to maintain your oral health and protect your investment.
- Night guard when advised: Many people clench and grind their teeth, especially at night without even knowing. This can damage, teeth, gums, crowns, and implants. A custom made 3D printed night guard. Protects veneers and implant crowns from nighttime forces.
- Tobacco-free is best: Smoking is associated with higher implant complication rates. (Multiple reviews note increased risk; we’ll guide you on risk reduction.) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3872851/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
The Bottom Line
If you’ve been Googling “sedation dentist OKC” or “sleep dentistry OKC” because anxiety keeps winning, we’d love to show you just how comfortable modern dentistry can be. And if you’re exploring dental implants in OKC or a cosmetic dentistry refresh, combining treatment with the right level of sedation can compress timelines and remove barriers—so you can eat, laugh, and smile with confidence again.
Ready to talk? Let’s map your comfort-first plan and get you smiling sooner.
Remember when choosing a dentist-experience counts. Advances in Dentistry has 31 years of experience treating dental needs in Oklahoma City. Voted Best Dentist, Favorite Cosmetic Dentist and awarded as a Platinum Preferred Dental Implant Provider.
We are conveniently located at 12320 St. Andrews Dr. Oklahoma City 73120. We are just a few minutes away from Edmond, Yukon, Nichols Hills, Deer Creek, Piedmont and the surrounding metro area.
You can call or text us at 405-751-6996 or email us at advancesindentistry@gmail.com.