Oral Health Associates · Green Bay, WI · Family Dentistry
Dental anxiety is more common than most people realize — and it should never be the reason someone avoids care they need. Our sedation options make every appointment more comfortable, more manageable, and less stressful for patients of every age.
For millions of Americans, visiting the dentist is not simply inconvenient — it is genuinely stressful. Some patients experience mild nervousness before appointments. Others feel significant anxiety that makes scheduling and attending dental care feel overwhelming. And for a meaningful portion of the population, dentophobia — a clinical fear of dental treatment — leads to years of avoided care, compounding dental problems, and a cycle of anxiety that grows harder to break with time.
If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone — and you do not have to manage it alone either.
At Oral Health Associates, our team of experienced Green Bay dentists — Dr. Mark Glime, Dr. Adam Koch, and Dr. Robert Wetzel — offers sedation dentistry services specifically designed to help anxious patients receive the care they need in a comfortable, relaxed, and stress-free environment. Whether your anxiety is mild or significant, whether you are coming in for a routine cleaning or a more involved procedure, sedation options are available to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
Your oral health is too important to let anxiety stand in the way. Sedation dentistry exists precisely to remove that barrier.
Our Green Bay team offers sedation options for patients of all ages. Mention your interest in sedation when you schedule and we will take it from there.
Sedation dentistry refers to the use of medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It is not the same as general anesthesia — in most cases, patients remain conscious and able to respond to their dentist throughout the appointment. The goal is not unconsciousness but comfort — a state of calm, relaxed, cooperative ease that allows treatment to proceed without the patient experiencing the fear, tension, or distress that dental anxiety can produce.
Sedation dentistry is appropriate for a wide range of patients and situations. It is not exclusively for patients with severe phobias. Many patients who simply feel nervous before appointments, who have a sensitive gag reflex, who have had a difficult dental experience in the past, or who need a longer procedure completed in a single visit find that sedation makes dental care far more manageable and even pleasant.
At Oral Health Associates, we offer two forms of sedation — oral sedation and inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide — to suit the needs and preferences of different patients. During your appointment request or consultation, simply let us know you are interested in sedation and our team will help you determine which option is most appropriate for your situation.
Sedation dentistry is a good fit for a broader range of patients than many people realize. You do not need to have a diagnosed phobia to benefit from sedation. If any of the following describes your experience, sedation dentistry may be worth discussing with our team.
You feel anxious or nervous before dental appointments. Even patients whose anxiety is manageable often find that sedation makes the experience significantly more comfortable and that they are far more willing to keep appointments consistently as a result.
You have avoided dental care because of fear. If it has been a year or more since your last dental visit because of anxiety — or if you have ever cancelled or failed to schedule an appointment due to fear — sedation dentistry is designed specifically to help you get back on track without the experience you have been dreading.
You have had a traumatic dental experience in the past. A difficult or painful experience at a previous dental appointment can leave a lasting impression that makes subsequent visits genuinely difficult. Sedation helps patients move past those associations by creating a consistently calm, comfortable experience.
You have a strong gag reflex. An overactive gag reflex can make dental treatment genuinely uncomfortable and disruptive — for both the patient and the clinician. Sedation significantly reduces gag reflex sensitivity, making treatment easier and more comfortable for patients who struggle with this.
You are particularly sensitive to pain or discomfort. Some patients are more sensitive to dental sensations than others, regardless of anxiety. Sedation reduces that sensitivity and allows treatment to proceed with less discomfort.
You need a longer or more complex procedure completed. Sedation is beneficial for patients undergoing longer appointments — multiple restorations, extractions, or other more involved procedures — who would otherwise find it difficult to remain comfortable and cooperative for an extended period.
You have difficulty sitting still or managing physical tension during appointments. Some patients experience significant physical tension during dental procedures — clenched muscles, involuntary movement, difficulty staying still. Sedation produces a state of deep physical relaxation that makes extended appointments far more comfortable.
Learn more about our full range of family dentistry services to understand how sedation fits within the comprehensive care we provide.
Oral Health Associates offers two sedation options — oral sedation and nitrous oxide inhalation sedation. Both are safe, well-established approaches with distinct advantages. Our team will help you determine which is the best fit for your needs.
Oral sedation involves taking a prescribed medication — typically a benzodiazepine — in pill form approximately 30 to 60 minutes before your appointment. The medication produces a state of deep, calm relaxation by the time you arrive at the office, reducing anxiety before the appointment even begins.
How it works. The pill is taken at home or in the office before treatment begins. By the time your appointment starts, the medication is active and you are in a deeply relaxed state. You remain conscious and able to communicate with your dental team throughout the procedure, but your experience of time and sensation is significantly reduced. Many patients have little to no memory of their appointment afterward — a particularly welcome outcome for patients with significant dental anxiety.
Advantages of oral sedation. Oral sedation is an excellent option for patients who are afraid of needles, as it requires no injections to administer. It is highly effective for moderate to significant dental anxiety and produces a deeper level of relaxation than nitrous oxide alone. It is also appropriate for longer procedures where sustained relaxation throughout the appointment is beneficial.
Important considerations. Because the sedative effects of oral sedation persist for several hours after the appointment, patients who choose oral sedation must arrange for a responsible adult to drive them both to and from the appointment. You should not drive, operate machinery, or make important decisions on the day of treatment. Plan to rest at home following your appointment and avoid strenuous activity for the remainder of the day. Inform our team of all medications you currently take, as some medications interact with oral sedation agents.
Nitrous oxide — commonly known as laughing gas — has been used in dentistry for more than a century and has one of the longest and best-established safety records of any sedation agent in clinical use. It is one of the most widely studied and thoroughly understood pharmacological agents in dentistry, and its safety profile makes it appropriate for patients of all ages including children.
How it works. Nitrous oxide is administered through a small, comfortable mask placed over the nose. You breathe normally while a carefully controlled mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen is delivered. Within a few minutes, most patients notice a pleasant sensation of warmth, tingling, and relaxation. Anxiety fades, the body relaxes, and the experience of the appointment becomes significantly more comfortable. The level of sedation is easily adjustable — your dentist controls the concentration of nitrous oxide throughout the procedure to maintain the ideal level of relaxation for your needs.
Advantages of nitrous oxide. One of the most significant practical advantages of nitrous oxide is that its effects dissipate rapidly after the mask is removed. Within a few minutes of breathing pure oxygen at the end of the appointment, the sedative effects are fully reversed and patients are able to drive themselves home and return to normal activities. This makes nitrous oxide the most flexible and convenient sedation option for patients who cannot arrange alternate transportation or who need to return to work or other responsibilities after their appointment.
Nitrous oxide is also an excellent option for patients with milder anxiety who want to take the edge off without the deeper sedation of oral medication, and for children who need help relaxing during dental procedures. It produces no lasting grogginess and carries no day-of activity restrictions beyond the appointment itself.
Important considerations. Nitrous oxide is not recommended for patients who have difficulty breathing through the nose, those with certain respiratory conditions, or patients who are in their first trimester of pregnancy. Please inform our team of any relevant medical conditions before your appointment so we can confirm nitrous oxide is appropriate for your situation.
Our team will walk you through both options and help you choose the approach that fits your needs, your anxiety level, and your schedule. Just ask when you call or book.
Safety is the most important question for any patient considering sedation, and it deserves a direct and thorough answer.
Both sedation options we offer at Oral Health Associates are considered safe and well-established when administered by trained dental professionals following appropriate protocols. Nitrous oxide has been in continuous clinical use for over 150 years and has an exceptional safety record — it is among the most studied and rigorously evaluated agents in all of dentistry. Oral sedation medications have been used in clinical practice for decades, with well-understood pharmacological profiles and predictable effects.
Before any sedation is administered, our team conducts a thorough review of your medical history, current medications, and health conditions. This review is how we confirm that a given sedation approach is appropriate for you specifically and identify any contraindications or interactions that might affect our recommendation. Transparency and thoroughness at this stage are what make sedation safe — and our team takes it seriously.
During treatment, your vital signs and comfort level are monitored throughout the procedure. The level of sedation — particularly with nitrous oxide — is adjustable in real time, allowing your dentist to maintain the ideal state of relaxation throughout your appointment.
If you have specific health conditions, take multiple medications, or have concerns about sedation safety for your individual situation, the right step is a conversation with our team — not avoidance. Contact us and we will address your questions directly and honestly.
Understanding the full process of a sedation appointment removes uncertainty and helps patients arrive prepared and confident.
Before Your Appointment. When you schedule, let our team know you are interested in sedation. We will discuss your anxiety level, your medical history, and which sedation option is most appropriate for your situation. If oral sedation is chosen, your prescription will be provided in advance and specific instructions for when and how to take it will be given. You will also receive instructions regarding eating and drinking before your appointment, which vary based on the sedation type. Arrange transportation in advance if you are having oral sedation.
Arriving at the Office. If you have taken oral sedation medication before arriving, you will already be in a relaxed state when you come in. Our team will greet you warmly and make sure you are comfortable before proceeding. If you are having nitrous oxide, the mask will be placed comfortably over your nose once you are seated and the relaxation effect begins within a few minutes of breathing normally.
During Your Appointment. You remain conscious throughout — able to hear your dental team, respond to questions, and communicate if needed. Most patients find that the experience of time passes quickly and that their perception of the procedure is significantly reduced. You will be comfortable, relaxed, and in capable hands throughout. Dr. Glime, Dr. Koch, and Dr. Wetzel are experienced in treating sedated patients and are attentive to your comfort at every stage.
After Your Appointment. If you had nitrous oxide, the effects clear quickly after the mask is removed and you are cleared to drive and resume normal activities. If you had oral sedation, you will need your designated driver to take you home. Plan for a restful day — avoid driving, alcohol, and important decision-making for the remainder of the day. Most patients feel fully normal by the following morning.
Visit our patient center for additional information on preparing for your appointment at Oral Health Associates.
Our Green Bay dentists — Dr. Glime, Dr. Koch, and Dr. Wetzel — and our full care team are here to make your appointment the most comfortable dental experience you have had. Let’s get started.
One of the most important benefits of sedation dentistry is one that is easy to overlook: it keeps patients coming back.
Dental anxiety is not simply an inconvenience — it is a barrier to care that has measurable consequences for oral health. Patients who avoid dental visits due to fear miss the professional cleanings and examinations that catch problems early, when treatment is simplest and least invasive. Over time, the problems that routine care would have prevented or caught early accumulate — and the eventual necessary treatment is more involved, more uncomfortable, and more expensive than it would have been if the patient had been able to attend regular appointments.
Sedation dentistry breaks that cycle. Patients who discover that dental care can be comfortable and manageable become patients who attend appointments consistently. Consistent care means early detection, preventive treatment, and a healthy mouth maintained over the long term rather than managed reactively.
If dental anxiety has led to a longer gap between dental visits, you are not alone — and you should not feel embarrassed about it. What matters is taking the step to come in. Our team treats every patient with respect and without judgment, regardless of how long it has been or what condition your teeth are currently in. We are here to help, not to criticize. Learn more about our approach to patient care.
Coverage for sedation dentistry varies by insurance plan and the nature of the procedure being performed. Some insurance plans cover sedation when it is medically indicated — for example, for patients with documented dental phobia or for certain surgical procedures. Other plans may not include sedation coverage, or may cover only certain types of sedation.
We encourage patients to contact their insurance provider before their appointment to understand their coverage. Our team is also happy to assist with insurance questions and to discuss payment options for any out-of-pocket portion of your care. We believe financial considerations should not be a barrier to comfortable dental care, and we work with patients to find solutions that fit their situation.
Review our financial and insurance information page for details on accepted plans and payment options, or contact our office with specific questions.
No. The sedation options we offer — oral sedation and nitrous oxide — are forms of conscious sedation, meaning you remain awake and able to communicate throughout your appointment. The goal is deep relaxation and reduced anxiety, not unconsciousness. You will be able to hear your dental team, respond to questions, and follow instructions. Many patients feel so relaxed that they have limited memory of the procedure afterward, but they remain conscious throughout.
Nitrous oxide is widely used and considered very safe for children in dental settings. It is one of the most common forms of pediatric dental sedation and has been used safely in children for decades. Oral sedation for children requires careful evaluation of the child’s age, weight, and health history, and is used selectively. Our team will discuss the appropriate option for your child’s specific situation during your consultation.
It depends on the type of sedation. For nitrous oxide, there are generally no strict fasting requirements, though eating a light meal is usually recommended over a heavy one before your appointment. For oral sedation, specific instructions will be provided based on the medication prescribed. Always follow the instructions our team provides — they are specific to your sedation type and procedure.
The relaxing effects of oral sedation typically last several hours — often four to six hours depending on the medication and the individual patient’s response. You should plan to rest at home for the remainder of the day following an appointment with oral sedation and not drive, operate machinery, or make important decisions until the following day. Most patients feel fully back to normal by the morning after their appointment.
It is essential that you inform our team of all medications — prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements — that you currently take before sedation is administered. Some medications interact with sedation agents and affect how the medication works or how it is metabolized. Our team reviews your complete medication list before recommending and administering any sedation. Do not omit any medications from this discussion, including herbal supplements.
It depends on the type of sedation. Oral sedation requires that a responsible adult drive you both to and from your appointment — you should not drive under the effects of oral sedation. Nitrous oxide sedation does not require alternate transportation, as the effects clear within minutes of the mask being removed at the end of the appointment. Our team will confirm transportation requirements when scheduling your sedation appointment.
Yes. Sedation dentistry is not limited to complex or surgical procedures. Many patients with dental anxiety benefit from sedation for routine cleanings and examinations — appointments they might otherwise avoid entirely. If the prospect of any dental appointment causes you significant stress, sedation is a completely appropriate and available option for any type of care we provide.
Simply mention that you are interested in sedation options when you request an appointment or contact our office. Our team will discuss your options, answer your questions, and make sure everything is in place for a comfortable, stress-free appointment. You can also call us directly at (920) 437-3376 — we are happy to answer any questions before you book.
Dental anxiety is real, it is common, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. What matters is that it does not have to stand between you and the oral health care you deserve. Sedation dentistry exists precisely to make dental care accessible and comfortable for every patient — not just those who happen to find the dentist easy.
Oral Health Associates has been providing compassionate, patient-centered dental care to Green Bay families for years. Our dentists and our entire team understand dental anxiety and approach every patient with patience, respect, and a genuine commitment to making your experience as comfortable as possible.
If you are ready to schedule — or if you simply want to ask a few questions before committing to anything — we are here. Prepare for your first visit to learn what to expect, or reach out directly and let us help you take the first step toward the care your smile deserves.
Whether it has been six months or six years since your last appointment, our Green Bay team is ready to welcome you with the care, respect, and comfort you deserve. Sedation options are available for any appointment.
