You're genuinely afraid of the dentist.
Anxiety, panic, gag reflex, past trauma. We've worked with all of it. Sedation makes the appointment feel like a thirty-minute nap.
Sedation Dentistry · Hollister, CA
Sleep through it. Wake up done.
For patients with dental anxiety, complex multi-procedure visits, or years between cleanings — sedation dentistry lets us do in one comfortable appointment what would otherwise take five.
Who this is for
If any of this is you —
Most of our sedation patients fall into one of four buckets. Any sound familiar?
It's been years (or decades) since you've been.
You know you need work. You know it's a lot. The thought of starting feels overwhelming. Sedation makes the first visit possible.
You have a big, complex case.
Multiple extractions, full-arch restoration, implants and crowns in the same visit. Sedation lets us do it all at once — comfortably.
You hate dental injections.
Many patients are fine with the work but can't stand the shots. Sedation handles the entire experience — including the part you dread.
How it actually works
Three levels of sedation. We match one to the case.
Sedation dentistry isn't one thing — it's a range. At a consultation we'll talk about your anxiety, your medical history, the work that needs doing, and choose the level that fits.
Nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") is the lightest. You stay awake and aware, just relaxed and a little floaty. Wears off in minutes — you can drive yourself home.
Oral conscious sedation is a pill taken about an hour before your appointment. You'll feel deeply relaxed and probably won't remember much of the visit. You'll need someone to drive you.
IV sedation is the deepest — a "twilight" state where you're not fully asleep but won't recall the procedure. We use this for the longest or most complex cases. Driver required.
You stay safe the whole time. Vital signs monitored continuously. Dr. Rauch is trained and certified in sedation — and monitors you throughout. This is how we've been able to do the work for patients who'd been avoiding the dentist for fifteen years.
What it actually looks like
Calm room, warm light, and a team that's done this thousands of times.
"It felt like a thirty-minute nap. I'd put off a lot for too long."Sedation patient · Hollister
What to expect
The day, step by step.
Sedation visits feel longer than they are — because you won't remember most of it. Here's what actually happens.
Pre-visit instructions.
We send you a short list — fast for a few hours before, take any pre-visit medication we prescribe, arrange a driver. You arrive in comfortable clothes.
Sedation begins.
Depending on type, that's nitrous through a nose mask, a pill, or an IV line. You're monitored throughout. Within minutes you're in a calm, relaxed state.
We do the work.
However many procedures we planned — extractions, fillings, crowns, implant placement, deep cleaning — done in one continuous appointment. You'll feel like time skipped.
Recovery.
You sit in a quiet recovery room until the sedation wears off enough to leave. Your driver takes you home. Most patients are back to normal by the next morning.
Questions, answered
Sedation, demystified.
Will I be unconscious?
Depends on the level. Nitrous and oral sedation keep you conscious but relaxed. IV sedation puts you in a "twilight" state where you're not fully asleep but won't remember much. We'll match the level to your case.
Is it safe?
Sedation dentistry is well-established and very safe when administered by a trained dentist who monitors vital signs throughout. Dr. Rauch has placed thousands of sedation cases without complications. We screen for medical conditions before sedation and adjust based on your health history.
Can I drive home after?
Nitrous oxide — yes, in most cases, after a short recovery. Oral or IV sedation — no, you'll need a driver. We require a responsible adult to accompany you for any moderate-to-deep sedation appointment.
How much does it cost?
Nitrous oxide is the most affordable add-on (often under $100). Oral conscious sedation typically adds $250–$500. IV sedation runs $500–$1,000 depending on length. We'll quote the exact total at consultation.
Does insurance cover sedation?
Sometimes. Medical necessity for sedation (anxiety disorder, gag reflex, lengthy procedures) can qualify for partial coverage. We verify with your insurance before treatment so you have a clear picture.
You don't have to tough it out.
If anxiety is what's been keeping you from the dentist — that's the part we know how to fix first. Schedule a consult. No pressure, no judgment.