Sedation Dentistry in Winter Park, FL
Anxiety-free dentistry for patients who’ve been putting off treatment for years — sometimes decades — because of fear, a strong gag reflex, or a rough past experience. Dr. Rezkalla and Dr. Altomare offer three levels of sedation matched to your comfort level and procedure.
You’ve Been Putting It Off — Let’s Fix That
Dental anxiety is more common than most people realize. Dr. Rezkalla and Dr. Altomare have helped hundreds of patients across Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, and Goldenrod complete treatment they’d been avoiding for years — sometimes decades — because of fear, past trauma, or a strong gag reflex.
Sedation dentistry isn’t about being “knocked out.” It’s about matching the right level of calm to the right procedure so you stay comfortable, safe, and in control. Whether that’s a light dose of nitrous oxide for a routine cleaning or oral sedation for multiple restorations in one visit, we walk you through every option before booking.
The consultation itself is judgment-free — tell us what you’re worried about, what’s happened before, what’s kept you away. We build the plan around your comfort, not around what’s clinically fastest.
Sedation Matched to Your Comfort
Every patient is different. We start with the lightest option that gets you through your procedure comfortably — and adjust from there.
Nitrous Oxide (“Laughing Gas”)
Administered through a small nasal mask, nitrous produces a relaxed, slightly euphoric feeling within minutes. You stay fully awake and responsive. Effects wear off within minutes of stopping the gas — most patients drive themselves home.
Oral Sedation
A small dose of prescription sedative (typically a benzodiazepine) taken about an hour before your appointment. Deeper relaxation than nitrous — you remain awake and responsive, but often have little memory of the procedure afterward.
IV Sedation
The deepest form of conscious sedation available in a dental office. Medication is delivered through an IV for precise, adjustable depth throughout the procedure. You remain able to respond to instructions but typically remember nothing afterward.
Common Procedures Made Comfortable
Almost any dental treatment can be paired with sedation. Here’s where it makes the biggest difference for patients who’ve been avoiding care.
Multiple Extractions in One Visit
Getting several teeth removed — or all remaining teeth in preparation for dentures or implants — is often the biggest hurdle for anxious patients. Sedation lets us complete it in one comfortable session instead of dragging out weeks of appointments.
Root Canal Treatment
Modern root canals are far more comfortable than their reputation — but if the idea alone makes you tense up, oral or nitrous sedation gets you through easily. Most patients say the visit was nothing like they’d expected.
Dental Implant Placement
Surgical implant placement is straightforward with the right sedation. For patients getting multiple implants or full-arch restoration, IV sedation makes a multi-hour procedure feel like a nap.
Full Mouth Restoration
When multiple crowns, veneers, or restorations need to happen together, sedation lets us combine appointments — fewer visits, less time in the chair, one recovery instead of many.
Deep Cleaning & Gum Treatment
Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) can be uncomfortable when gum disease is advanced. Nitrous or oral sedation lets patients get through the full treatment in one or two appointments instead of multiple painful sessions.
Restart After Long Absence
If it’s been years since your last dental visit, we often start with a sedated comprehensive exam and cleaning. That single visit gets you caught up with imaging, cleaning, and a treatment plan — without the emotional overload of doing it awake.
Doctors Who Take Anxiety Seriously
Sedation dentistry only works if the whole team is patient, calm, and unrushed. That’s the standard here.
Dr. Rezkalla has helped hundreds of anxious patients across Central Florida complete treatment they’d previously avoided. Her approach starts with listening — what’s happened before, what worries you most, what would help you feel safe — then building the sedation plan around your answers.
Dr. Altomare specializes in matching the right level of sedation to the right procedure — never overselling, never underselling. He’s especially known for helping patients with strong gag reflexes get through imaging and impressions that had blocked treatment for years.
Three Things That Set Us Apart
Judgment-Free Consultations
Come in as anxious as you actually are. We’ve heard every backstory — nothing surprises us. The consult is about listening, not lecturing.
Three Sedation Levels
Not just one option. We match nitrous, oral, or IV to your anxiety level and the procedure — and start with the lightest that will work.
Combine Multiple Procedures
Instead of 6 separate visits, we can often bundle treatment into one or two sedated sessions — fewer days off work, fewer emotional buildups.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is dental sedation safe?
Yes — when administered by trained clinicians in a controlled setting. Nitrous oxide has been used in dentistry for over a century with an excellent safety record. Oral and IV sedation involve pre-procedure screening (medical history, medications, allergies), continuous monitoring during your visit, and post-procedure recovery instructions.
Will I be unconscious?
No. All three levels we offer (nitrous, oral, IV) are conscious sedation — you remain awake and able to respond to instructions. IV sedation is the deepest and typically leaves patients with no memory of the procedure, but you’re not “asleep” the way you would be under general anesthesia in a hospital.
Can I drive myself home after sedation?
After nitrous oxide only: yes — effects clear within minutes of stopping the gas. After oral or IV sedation: no — you’ll need a driver to bring you home and stay with you for a few hours. We arrange all sedation appointments with your ride confirmed in advance.
Which level of sedation is right for me?
Depends on your anxiety level, the procedure, and your medical history. We start with a consultation — no procedures, just conversation — and build a plan together. Most patients with mild anxiety are comfortable with nitrous. Moderate anxiety usually calls for oral sedation. Severe anxiety, complex surgery, or multi-hour visits often benefit from IV sedation.
Does insurance cover sedation dentistry?
Coverage varies. Nitrous oxide is often not covered by insurance but is a modest add-on. Oral and IV sedation are sometimes covered when medically necessary (severe anxiety documented, complex surgical procedures). We verify your benefits before booking and give you a written estimate. Uninsured patients can use our in-house membership plan or financing options.
What if I have a medical condition or take medications?
Tell us at the consultation. We review your full medical history and medication list before any sedation plan. Some conditions (severe sleep apnea, uncontrolled heart disease, certain drug interactions) may narrow the options or require coordination with your primary physician. In most cases, we can still find a safe sedation approach that works for you.
Can my child receive sedation dentistry?
Yes — nitrous oxide is commonly and safely used for children. Oral and IV sedation for pediatric patients are handled case-by-case based on age, weight, procedure, and cooperation level. If your child has significant anxiety or needs extensive treatment, we’ll discuss whether sedation makes sense at their consult.
Take the First Step — Book a Consultation
No procedures at the first visit. Just a conversation with Dr. Rezkalla or Dr. Altomare to figure out what would actually help you feel comfortable in a dental chair again.
Book a Consultation