You Deserve a Better Dental Experience
Find Your Way Back to The Chair Through Gentle Sedation Dentistry
Dental anxiety can quietly keep you from scheduling the care you need. After all, it’s easier to tell yourself you’ll book that dentist appointment another day. But one cancelled visit leads to another, and before long, months or even years have passed. If that sounds familiar, it may be time to experience dentistry in a completely different way.
Sedation dentistry bridges the gap between the care you need and the comfort you deserve. Dr. Tostado and Dr. Acuña Malo understand that every patient experiences dental anxiety differently, which is why they take time to recommend the level of sedation that best supports your comfort and your health.
Calm Begins Before Your Treatment
Sedation helps quiet your anxiety so your appointment feels more manageable. You’ll remain awake and able to respond throughout your visit, while local anesthetic completely numbs the treatment area so you can receive the care your smile needs without pain. While some of our patients remember very little afterwards, others simply remember feeling far more relaxed than they ever thought possible.
What makes your dental experience at 5 Star Dental Group different isn’t just the sedation itself. You’ll have time to settle in and move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Thoughtful touches like weighted blankets, noise-canceling headphones, warm towels, and a team that
Your Comfort, Your Choice
You don’t need severe dental anxiety to benefit from sedation. Sometimes it’s simply about giving yourself permission to experience dentistry differently, so you can focus less on the appointment and more on getting your smile back where you want it to be.
Sedation dentistry may be right for you if you:
- Feel nervous before dental appointments.
- Have delayed treatment because of fear or anxiety.
- Need several procedures completed during one visit.
- Have a sensitive gag reflex.
- Find it difficult to stay comfortable during longer appointments.
- Want a more relaxed dental experience.
Choosing Your Path To Comfort
Oral Conscious Sedation
With oral conscious sedation, you take a prescribed medication an hour before your visit. As it begins to take effect, a gentle sense of relaxation washes over you, leaving you feeling drowsy yet awake enough to proceed through treatment. Since the medication remains in your system for a while after your appointment, please arrange for someone to drive you home.
IV Sedation
IV sedation offers a deeper kind of rest. It works quickly, entering your system through a small line. It’s often the right choice for those carrying heavy anxiety or for longer, complex dental procedures. We watch over your comfort and your vital signs the entire time. Similar to the oral option, you will need someone to drive you home when we are done.
No Surprises, Just Support
The unknown often feels more intimidating than the treatment itself. That’s why we’ll make sure you know exactly what to expect before your appointment, from preparing for sedation to what your recovery will look like. The more you understand, the easier it becomes to relax.
Before Your Procedure
Before your appointment, you’ll sit down with Dr. Tostado or Dr. Acuña Malo to talk about your health and your concerns. Together, you’ll decide which sedation option feels right for you. You’ll also receive clear instructions before your visit, including whether you should avoid eating or drinking six hours before your appointment.
During Your Procedure
If you’re receiving oral conscious sedation, you’ll take your prescribed medication about an hour before your procedure so you arrive feeling relaxed. If IV sedation is recommended, we’ll place a small intravenous line before treatment begins. Throughout your visit, you’ll remain comfortable while your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels are monitored.
After Your Procedure
Once your treatment is complete, you’ll spend a short time recovering before heading home with your designated driver. It’s normal to feel sleepy or relaxed for several hours, so plan to take the rest of the day easy. We’ll review your aftercare instructions before you leave so you know exactly what to expect during your recovery.
Dental Care You Can Lean On
Your dental sedation experience is guided by Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña Malo, two dentists who believe helping you feel comfortable begins long before any medication is given. They’ll take time to recommend the level of sedation that best fits your health and your comfort. Every decision is made to help you receive the care you need while feeling calm and supported from beginning to end.
Serving families throughout San Antonio and the surrounding communities, they’ve built a reputation for treating patients with genuine kindness, not judgment. You’ll find a team that understands dental anxiety is real and knows that trust is earned through patience. When you finally feel ready to take that next step, you’ll have experienced guides beside you.
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It’s Time To Feel Different About Dentistry
Dental anxiety has already taken enough from you. Don’t let it be the loudest voice when deciding what’s next for your smile. Dr. Tostado, Dr. Acuña Malo, and the entire 5 Star Dental Group team are here to help you move forward with sedation dentistry that puts your comfort first, so you can finally receive the care your smile has been waiting for.
Schedule Your Visit | Call (210) 494-3511
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you completely asleep during sedation dentistry?
Not usually. Most forms of sedation dentistry help you feel deeply relaxed while allowing you to remain conscious and respond to us. General anesthesia is different and produces complete unconsciousness. Dr. Tostado or Dr. Acuña Malo will explain what you can expect from the option recommended for you.
How long to recover after dental sedation?
Recovery depends on the sedation you receive. Nitrous oxide leaves the body quickly, so many patients feel alert again within several minutes. Oral sedation can affect you for the remainder of the day, and you’ll need a trusted adult to drive you home and stay with you. Plan to rest and avoid driving or important decisions until we tell you it’s safe.
How much does it cost for sedation at the dentist?
The cost depends on the type of sedation, the length of your procedure, and your individual treatment plan. After evaluating your health and comfort needs, our team will explain the recommended option and review the cost with you before treatment.
What not to do before dental sedation?
Do not eat, drink, smoke, consume alcohol, or change your medications unless our team has given you specific instructions. Fasting requirements vary according to the type of sedation, so follow the directions we provide carefully. Tell us about all medications, supplements, health conditions, and recent changes to your health. If sedation is planned, we recommend that you arrange for a trusted adult to drive you to and from your appointment.