Anesthesia & Sedation

Comfort is never an afterthought at our practice — it's the foundation of everything we do. We offer a full range of anxiety and discomfort management options, carefully tailored to each child's unique needs and temperament. Whether it's a simple touch of nitrous oxide, our innovative Soan system, or a deeper level of sedation for more involved procedures, we have the tools and expertise to make sure every visit feels as easy and stress-free as possible. Because every child deserves to leave our office with a smile.

Soan System

We know the thought of a needle is often what worries kids (and parents!) most — so we invested in the Soan, a state-of-the-art cordless electronic anesthesia delivery system that makes getting numb virtually painless. Unlike a traditional syringe, the Soan automatically adjusts injection speed and pressure in real time, making even the most dreaded part of a dental visit smooth and stress-free. Its sleek, pen-like design is non-threatening and kid-friendly — because the way we deliver anesthesia matters just as much as the treatment itself!

Curious to learn more about the Soan system? Click here to explore what makes it so unique!

Nitrous oxide “happy air”

Nitrous oxide — or as we like to call it in our office, "happy air" — is the most common and gentle way we ease anxiety during appointments! Administered through a small, comfortable mask that fits over your child's nose, it creates a calm, relaxed feeling while keeping your child fully awake and able to talk with us the whole time. At the end of the appointment, we switch to pure oxygen for a few minutes and the mild effects disappear quickly — no lingering grogginess! As children grow more comfortable with dental visits, happy air may no longer even be needed.

Sedation & General Anesthesia

At times, the extent of a child's needed dental work is more than what they can handle — whether due to age, anxiety, or cooperation levels. In those instances, we offer oral sedation using Versed for shorter cases, or IV general anesthesia for longer, more involved procedures. We'll always walk you through every option thoroughly and work together to find what's best for your child — no surprises, ever.

We are so proud of the highly trained, dedicated team that makes every sedation appointment as safe and seamless as possible. And when general anesthesia is needed, your child is in the most capable hands with our most trusted anesthesiologist, Dr. Tom Lenhart of Bay Area Anesthesia — whose skill and gentle approach we trust completely. Together, our team ensures that even the most involved appointments feel safe, smooth, and stress-free.