Sedation Dentistry in
White Plains, NY
Comfortable, Anxiety-Free Dental Care
Have you been putting off a dental visit because of nerves, fear, or a bad experience in the past? You’re not alone—and at Dental Group of Westchester, we want you to know that avoiding the dentist doesn’t have to be your only option.
Dr. Simon Roytberg and our team in White Plains, NY, offer sedation dentistry to help patients of all ages get the care they need comfortably and without stress. Whether you feel mildly uneasy in the chair or experience a full-blown dental phobia, we have a sedation option that’s right for you. We proudly welcome patients from White Plains, Scarsdale, Hartsdale, Rye, and the surrounding Westchester County area.
Ready to finally get comfortable with our White Plains dentist? Call or text us at (914) 683-5203 to schedule your appointment.
Why Choose Dental Group of Westchester for Sedation Dentistry?
When you’re trusting someone to care for you while you’re in a relaxed, vulnerable state, you want to know they take that responsibility seriously. Here’s what sets our practice apart:
Dr. Simon Roytberg, one of the top dentists in White Plains, has over 25 years of experience providing comprehensive dental care. His approach is patient-first—every consultation is a conversation, not a pitch. He takes the time to understand what makes you anxious, answer your questions honestly, and recommend only what’s right for your specific situation.
Our team is multilingual — we speak English, Spanish, Russian, and Arabic — so language is never a barrier to getting the care and explanations you deserve.
We’re a multi-specialty practice, which means that whether your sedation appointment involves a cleaning, an extraction, periodontal treatment, or implant placement, everything happens under one roof. No referrals to outside offices, no logistical headaches.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses safe, carefully administered medication to help you feel calm and relaxed during your dental procedure. You stay conscious and able to communicate with your dentist — you simply don’t feel the anxiety, discomfort, or tension that would normally make a visit difficult.
Think of it as a way to “turn the volume down” on everything that makes the dentist stressful. The sights, sounds, and sensations that normally trigger anxiety become background noise. Many patients report that after a sedation appointment, they have little to no memory of the procedure—and are genuinely surprised by how much was accomplished in a single visit.
At Dental Group of Westchester, conscious sedation is one of the most impactful services we offer. Patients who previously avoided care for years have been able to catch up on cleanings, fillings, extractions, and even more complex work like dental implants—all in a relaxed, comfortable state.
Who Is Sedation Dentistry Right For?
Sedation dentistry isn’t just for people with extreme dental phobias. It’s a smart choice for a wide range of patients, including those who:
- Experience anxiety or nervousness before or during dental visits
- Have had a traumatic or painful dental experience in the past
- Have a sensitive gag reflex that makes treatment difficult
- Need to sit through a long or multi-step procedure
- Have difficulty getting and staying numb with local anesthesia alone
- Are getting multiple treatments completed in one visit
- Have special needs that make it hard to cooperate in the chair
- Simply want a more relaxed, comfortable experience overall
If you’ve ever said, “I hate the dentist,” sedation dentistry may be exactly what changes that.
Sedation Options at Dental Group of Westchester
We offer several levels of sedation so that your care can be tailored to your specific anxiety level, the length of your procedure, and your overall health. Dr. Roytberg will review your medical history and discuss which option is the right fit for you.
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Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral sedation is one of the most popular choices for anxious patients. You’ll take a prescribed medication (typically from the benzodiazepine family, such as Halcion or Valium) about an hour before your appointment. By the time you arrive, you’ll feel noticeably calm and drowsy — deeply relaxed but still awake and able to respond to Dr. Roytberg’s instructions.
Oral sedation is a great fit for patients with mild to moderate dental anxiety. It’s simple: there’s no IV or needle involved in administering the sedation itself, and the effects are smooth and predictable. Because the medication can affect your coordination and reaction time, you’ll need a trusted adult to drive you to and from your appointment.
Most patients who choose oral sedation have very little memory of their procedure, which many consider a major bonus.
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Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide is one of the safest and most widely used sedation options in dentistry. A small, comfortable mask is placed over your nose, and you breathe a carefully controlled mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen throughout your procedure. Within minutes, most patients notice a warm, pleasant, floating sensation—tension melts away, and the whole experience feels much more manageable.
One of the biggest advantages of nitrous oxide is how quickly it clears your system. Once we remove the mask, you’ll typically be back to your baseline within minutes. That means most patients can drive themselves home and return to their normal day, making this the most convenient option for shorter or lower-anxiety procedures.
Nitrous oxide is also an excellent option for children who feel nervous about dental treatment. It’s gentle, safe, and wears off quickly.
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IV Sedation (Intravenous Conscious Sedation)
IV sedation delivers sedative medication directly into your bloodstream, producing a deeper state of relaxation than oral sedation or nitrous oxide. While you remain conscious and able to respond to Dr. Roytberg, you’ll be profoundly relaxed—and the vast majority of patients have no memory of the procedure at all.
The key advantage of IV sedation is precision. Because the medication is delivered intravenously, our team can adjust your sedation level in real time to ensure you remain comfortable from start to finish. It’s the preferred choice for patients undergoing longer procedures, those with more intense dental anxiety, or patients combining multiple treatments into a single visit.
IV sedation requires fasting beforehand and a trusted adult to take you home. Our team will provide complete preparation instructions at your consultation.
What Procedures Can Be Done with Sedation?
Sedation dentistry pairs well with nearly any procedure we offer, including:
- Routine cleanings and exams (for patients with severe anxiety)
- Tooth extractions and wisdom tooth removal
- Root canal therapy (endodontics)
- Dental implant placement
- Periodontal (gum) treatment
- Full mouth reconstruction
- Multiple procedures combined into one visit
If you’ve been putting off necessary work because of anxiety, sedation dentistry means you can get caught up—sometimes in just one appointment.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Yes. When administered by a trained professional who has reviewed your medical history, sedation dentistry is safe and well-tolerated by the vast majority of patients.
At Dental Group of Westchester, your safety is the priority. Before any sedation is recommended, Dr. Roytberg conducts a thorough consultation that includes a review of your health history, current medications, and any conditions that could affect how your body responds to sedation. Monitoring equipment tracks your vital signs throughout the procedure, and our team is trained to manage any changes that arise.
There are some patients for whom certain sedation methods may not be appropriate—including those with specific respiratory conditions, certain medication interactions, or other health factors. That’s why a consultation comes before any sedation appointment. We never take a one-size-fits-all approach.
Sedation dentistry candidacy is determined on an individual basis. The best way to find out if sedation is right for you is to speak with Dr. Roytberg directly. Call or text us at (914) 683-5203 to schedule your sedation consultation.
How to Prepare for Your Sedation Appointment
Once you and Dr. Roytberg have chosen the right sedation method, you’ll receive personalized preparation instructions. In general, here’s what to expect:
For oral sedation and IV sedation:
- Avoid eating or drinking for a minimum of 6 hours before your appointment (exact instructions will vary — follow what our team provides)
- Arrange for a trusted adult to drive you to and from the office and stay with you for a few hours afterward
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes
- Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before your procedure
- Bring a list of any current medications and supplements
For nitrous oxide:
- No fasting is required in most cases
- No driver required — you can typically drive yourself home
- Let us know about any nasal congestion or breathing difficulty, as this can affect how nitrous oxide works
What to Expect During Recovery
Recovery looks a little different depending on which type of sedation you received.
- After nitrous oxide, most patients feel completely normal within 15 to 30 minutes. You can usually get back to your day without any meaningful downtime.
- After oral sedation, expect to feel drowsy and possibly groggy for several hours. You’ll need your driver ready, and we recommend a light day—most patients rest at home and feel back to normal by the following morning.
- After IV sedation, recovery is similar to oral sedation but may take a bit longer depending on the depth of sedation used and the length of your procedure. Plan on resting the remainder of the day and having someone available to assist you. Most patients are back to normal within 24 hours.
In all cases, our team will review post-procedure instructions with you and your responsible adult companion before you leave, so you’ll know exactly what to expect and what to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will I be unconscious during sedation dentistry?
No. The sedation options we use at Dental Group of Westchester are forms of conscious sedation — you remain awake and able to respond to Dr. Roytberg throughout your procedure. You’ll simply feel deeply relaxed, calm, and in many cases have little to no memory of the visit. General anesthesia (which renders you fully unconscious) is not what we use.
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Is sedation dentistry covered by my insurance?
Coverage varies by insurance plan and the reason for sedation. Our team will help you verify your benefits before your appointment. For out-of-pocket costs, we offer dental financing options so cost doesn’t stand in the way of your care.
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How long does the sedation last?
It depends on the type. Nitrous oxide clears your system within 15–30 minutes of the mask being removed. Oral sedation effects can last 4–6 hours or more, so plan your day accordingly. IV sedation effects typically persist for several hours. Dr. Roytberg will walk you through what to expect for your specific situation.
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Can children receive sedation dentistry?
Yes. Nitrous oxide is commonly and safely used for children who feel anxious about dental visits. Other sedation methods are evaluated on a case-by-case basis depending on the child’s age, health, and dental needs. We’ll always discuss options thoroughly with parents before proceeding.
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I've avoided the dentist for years. Is it too late?
Absolutely not. This is one of the most common situations sedation dentistry helps resolve. Many of our patients hadn’t seen a dentist in 5, 10, or even 20 years before coming to us. We don’t judge — we just help you get your oral health back on track, comfortably and at your own pace.
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What if I'm nervous about the sedation itself?
That’s a completely normal concern. The best thing you can do is come in for a consultation and ask every question you have. Dr. Roytberg takes pride in making sure patients feel fully informed before agreeing to anything. No question is too small.
Ready to Experience Dental Care Without the Anxiety?
You deserve dental care that doesn’t feel like something to dread. Whether you live in White Plains, Scarsdale, Hartsdale, or Rye, a dentist near you is ready to help. Call or text (914) 683-5203 or book online to schedule your sedation dentistry consultation with Dr. Simon Roytberg at Dental Group of Westchester.
We welcome new patients from White Plains, Scarsdale, Hartsdale, Rye, and throughout Westchester County, NY. Our dental office is located at 10 Mitchell Place, Suite #102, White Plains, NY 10601.