Do you avoid the dentist because of fear or anxiety? You’re not alone. Dental anxiety affects millions of Americans, preventing them from getting the routine care they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
At North Dental Professionals, Dr. Paul Chaiken understands your concerns. With over 30 years of experience, dual fellowship credentials (FAGD, FACD), and advanced training in sedation dentistry, Dr. Chaiken provides safe, effective sedation options that help you relax through your dental visit.
Whether you’re in Chicago’s Edison Park neighborhood or in Skokie, we’re right around the corner.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help you feel calm, relaxed, and at ease during dental treatments. Unlike general anesthesia, most sedation options allow you to remain conscious and responsive while feeling deeply relaxed.
Some people call it “sleep dentistry,” but most patients stay awake unless they receive deeper sedation. The main goal is simple: to make your dental visit comfortable and stress-free.
Sedation is especially helpful for:
- Routine procedures like cleanings and fillings
- Complex treatments like crowns, bridges, or implants
- Multiple procedures in a single visit
Types of Dental Sedation We Offer
Dr. Chaiken offers two primary types of sedation, carefully matched to your anxiety level and treatment needs.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): Mild Sedation
Nitrous oxide is one of the safest and most common forms of dental sedation. You breathe it in through a small mask that fits comfortably over your nose. Within minutes, you’ll feel calm, relaxed, and at ease, but you’ll stay awake the entire time.
Key benefits of nitrous oxide:
- Takes effect within minutes
- Safe for children and adults
- The effects wear off quickly, so you can drive yourself home
- You can respond to instructions during treatment
Nitrous oxide is best for mild anxiety, shorter procedures, and first-time sedation patients.
IV Sedation: Deeper Relaxation
IV sedation delivers medication directly into your bloodstream through a small IV line. This allows Dr. Chaiken to precisely control your sedation level throughout the procedure. Most patients enter a deeply relaxed state, have little to no memory of their treatment, and feel like they slept through the entire appointment.
Key benefits of IV sedation:
- Deeper level of relaxation
- No memory of the procedure
- Sedation level can be adjusted during treatment
- Ideal for longer or more complex procedures
IV sedation is best for severe dental anxiety, longer procedures (implants, extractions, multiple crowns), and a strong gag reflex. For IV sedation, you will need a responsible adult to drive you home. This is important and non-negotiable.
The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry offers benefits that go far beyond just reducing anxiety:
- Reduced Dental Anxiety: If fear has kept you from the dentist, sedation can help you finally get the care you need. Many anxious patients find they can complete treatment comfortably and even return for regular check-ups afterward.
- More Work in Fewer Visits: Sedation allows Dr. Chaiken to treat multiple problems in a single appointment. That means fewer visits overall, less time off work, and faster results.
- Pain Management: Sedation helps reduce discomfort and promote relaxation, making procedures more comfortable for patients with a low pain threshold.
- Gag Reflex Control: For patients with a strong gag reflex, even simple procedures can be difficult. Sedation helps relax the throat muscles, making treatment easier for both you and Dr. Chaiken.
- Movement Control: Patients with movement disorders or difficulty sitting still can benefit from sedation. This is because it minimizes involuntary movements and allows for safe, effective treatment.
Are You a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Most patients with dental anxiety are good candidates for sedation. You may benefit from sedation if you:
- Feel nervous, fearful, or panicked about dental visits
- Have a low pain threshold
- Need extensive dental work (multiple procedures)
- Have a strong gag reflex
- Have difficulty sitting still
- Have had traumatic dental experiences in the past
Even patients who have avoided the dentist for years can benefit from sedation. Dr. Chaiken will review your medical history, current medications, and oral health needs to determine the safest, most effective sedation option for you.
Patient Review
Who Should Not Get Dental Sedation?
While sedation is safe for most patients, it’s not right for everyone. Dr. Chaiken will carefully review your health history to ensure sedation is appropriate. Some patients who may not be candidates include:
- Pregnant women. Sedation medications may affect fetal development. We typically recommend avoiding sedation during the first and second trimesters.
- Patients with certain breathing problems, such as severe asthma, COPD, or sleep apnea, can make sedation riskier because sedation can slow breathing. Dr. Chaiken may consult with your physician to determine the safest approach.
- Patients with certain heart, liver, or kidney conditions. These organs help filter sedation medications. If they aren’t functioning well, sedation could stay in your system too long.
- Patients allergic to sedation medications. Let us know if you’ve had a bad reaction to sedation or anesthesia before.
- Patients taking certain medications. Some medications don’t mix well with sedation. Bring a complete list of everything you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements.
Always be honest about your health history. Your safety is our top priority!
The Sedation Process: What to Expect
We want you to feel calm and comfortable from the moment you walk in.
Step 1: Consultation
Dr. Chaiken will talk with you about your needs, concerns, and medical history. He’ll review your oral health and discuss which sedation option is best for you.
Step 2: Preparation
You’ll receive clear pre-sedation instructions, including any dietary restrictions. For IV sedation, arrange for a driver.
Step 3: Sedation Administration
Depending on your chosen method, you’ll either breathe nitrous oxide through a small mask or receive IV medication through a tiny needle in your arm or hand.
Step 4: Comfortable Treatment
Dr. Chaiken performs your dental work while you remain relaxed and comfortable. We monitor your vital signs throughout to ensure your safety.
Step 5: Recovery
With nitrous oxide, you can drive yourself home. With IV sedation, your driver will take you home. Most patients feel back to normal within a few hours.
Is Dental Sedation Safe?
Yes, when administered by a trained professional. Dr. Chaiken follows strict safety protocols and uses advanced monitoring equipment to track your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels throughout your procedure.
Dr. Chaiken’s sedation credentials:
- Advanced training in sedation dentistry
- Dual fellowship status (Fellow of the American College of Dentists AND Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry)
- Over 30 years of clinical experience
- Assistant Clinical Professor at Northwestern University School of Medicine
- Active member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, and Chicago Dental Society
While sedation is generally safe, possible side effects include drowsiness, nausea, and dry mouth. Dr. Chaiken will discuss all risks during your consultation and provide clear post-sedation instructions.
Why North Dental Professionals for Sedation Dentistry in Chicago & Skokie?
- Dual fellowship-trained dentist: Dr. Chaiken holds fellowships from both the American College of Dentists (FACD) and the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD). It’s a rare distinction representing the highest level of continuing education commitment.
- Northwestern University faculty: Dr. Chaiken serves as Assistant Clinical Professor at Northwestern University School of Medicine, teaching the next generation of physicians.
- Over 30 years of experience: Dr. Chaiken graduated from Loyola University School of Dentistry in 1984 and has been helping anxious patients for decades.
- Two convenient locations: With offices in Chicago (Edison Park) and Skokie (Old Orchard Shopping Center), we’re accessible from anywhere on the North Side and northern suburbs.
- Named by patients: Patients consistently praise Dr. Chaiken’s gentle approach and his team’s professionalism, including Kristy (office manager) and Jill (dental assistant).
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be asleep during my dental procedure?
With nitrous oxide, you stay awake but feel deeply relaxed. With IV sedation, most patients enter a “twilight sleep” state where they feel asleep and have little to no memory of the procedure, though they remain technically conscious and can respond to instructions.
Can I drive myself home after sedation?
With nitrous oxide, yes, the effects wear off within minutes, and most patients can drive themselves home. With IV sedation, the sedative effects last longer, so you will need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for several hours afterward.
Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by plan. Many insurance plans cover sedation for medically necessary procedures, especially for patients with documented dental anxiety or for complex surgical treatments. Dr. Chaiken’s team will verify your benefits before treatment and provide a clear estimate of your out-of-pocket costs.
Is sedation dentistry safe for children?
Yes, nitrous oxide is commonly used for children who experience anxiety or have difficulty sitting still during treatment. Dr. Chaiken will evaluate your child’s health history and determine the safest sedation option. Children’s dosages are carefully calculated based on weight and age.
How much does sedation dentistry cost?
Cost depends on the type of sedation (nitrous oxide is less expensive than IV sedation) and the length of your procedure. Dr. Chaiken provides a complete, itemized estimate before any treatment begins. We also offer financing options through CareCredit to make sedation dentistry affordable.
I have a strong gag reflex. Can sedation help?
Yes. Sedation helps relax your throat muscles, reducing or eliminating the gag reflex that makes dental work difficult for many patients. Both nitrous oxide and IV sedation are effective for managing the gag reflex.
Ready to Overcome Dental Anxiety?
You don’t have to live with fear keeping you from a healthy smile. Dr. Paul Chaiken and the North Dental Professionals team are here to help you feel calm, comfortable, and cared for.
Our Chicago office is located in the Edison Park neighborhood and proudly serves patients from:
- Edison Park
- Norwood Park
- Jefferson Park
- Forest Glen
- Edgebrook
- Park Ridge
- Niles
Our Skokie office is located at the Old Orchard Shopping Center and proudly serves patients from:
Experience anxiety-free dentistry right in your neighborhood. Our Chicago office offers the latest in dental technology, digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, and sedation options, all designed to make your visit comfortable and stress-free. Patients from Norwood Park, Jefferson Park, Forest Glen, and beyond trust Dr. Chaiken for their family’s dental care.
If you have any questions or wish to schedule a consultation, reach out to our offices today. Reach our Skokie dental office at 224-267-8083 or request an appointment online. Reach our Chicago dental practice at 708-274-4192 or request an appointment here. We are proud to be your local provider, serving Chicago and all its surrounding communities.