Comfortable Sedation Dentistry in Del Mar, CA

Comfortable care for an easier dental visit.

Sedation dentistry consultation in Del Mar

Dental Anxiety is Not Uncommon

Dental anxieties and phobias manifest in various ways, with specific fears differing from person to person. Dental anxiety can range from mild to moderate, often presenting as a general sense of worry and apprehension about an upcoming procedure. In contrast, dental phobia is a more intense experience, where patients feel an overwhelming, irrational fear of dental work, sometimes leading them to avoid care altogether.

Comfortable sedation dental care

We’re here to help you relax during your visit

We provide numerous forms of sedation that can help you get through most types of dental procedures comfortably. Preparation is key to making things go smoothly, and Dr. Charlton offers a variety of sedation methods to ensure you are comfortable and anxiety-free during every dental visit.

How Easy Is It?

At Del Mar View Dental Care, we make it easy to have a comfortable and stress-free experience for our patients. Get the dental treatment you need without any of the anxiety!

Call Del Mar View Dental Care to schedule

Step 1. Request an Appointment

Call our Del Mar office and inform us to what you are afraid of before your dental visit.

Relax during your dental appointment

Step 2. Relax

We’ll implement the best sedation method for you, prior to beginning any dental treatment.

Smile after a comfortable dental visit

Step 3. Smile

You’ll smile knowing your dental health has been taken care of in a comfortable and relaxed setting!

Dr. Daniel Charlton, DDS

Meet Dr. Daniel Charlton, DDS

Part of a Del Mar Tradition of comfort and care, Dr. Charlton is a 1988 Honors graduate of the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco. He has dedicated his life to providing you the best that dentistry has to offer. Continually upgrading himself and his practice on the newest and latest techniques and approaches to advanced, state-of-the-art, comfortable, personalized and antiseptic dental care.

What our patients are saying

Things you might be wondering about the sedation methods we offer

  • Communication:
    Informing us as to what you are afraid of is a great place to start. Often we can quell a fear simply by giving you correct or updated information. We will always keep you informed before, during and after your procedure, making sure that you understand what is going on and why we are doing it.
  • Calming Techniques:
    Many patients find it helpful to practice controlled breathing or to find distraction inside the room.
  • Listening to Music:
    With most procedures, the use of personal headphones and music is allowed. This is a great way to keep calm and pass the time while in the chair.
  • Oral Sedation:
    Depending on the nature of your procedure, various types of sedation may be available to you including oral sedation.
  • Taking Breaks:
    Let us know if you would like to take a short break during your treatment by signaling with your left hand.

Nitrous Oxide is a sweet-smelling, non-irritating, colorless gas that you can breathe.

It has been the primary means of sedation in dentistry for many years due to its safety and effectiveness. When using nitrous oxide, patients receive 50-70% oxygen with no less than 30% nitrous oxide, ensuring a safe balance.

Patients remain able to breathe on their own and stay in control of all bodily functions. They may experience mild amnesia and sometimes fall asleep, not remembering much of their appointment.

There are many advantages to using Nitrous Oxide:

  • The depth of sedation can be adjusted at any time to increase or decrease the level of sedation.
  • There are no aftereffects, such as a “hangover.”
  • Inhalation sedation is safe, with no side effects on the heart or lungs.
  • It is very effective in minimizing gagging.
  • It works rapidly, reaching the brain within 20 seconds, and its relaxation and pain-killing properties develop in as little as 2-3 minutes.

Do you experience high levels of anxiety when visiting the dentist? You may be a candidate for Sedation Dentistry. Dr. Charlton is Board Certified to administer oral conscious sedation, commonly referred to as “Sleep Dentistry.”

Sedation Dentistry

Advantages for patients include:

  • Increased Relaxation: Treatment is completed while you are in a more relaxed state.
  • Easier Procedures: You will have less difficulty sitting through lengthy procedures.
  • Efficient Treatments: Multiple treatments and full mouth restorations can be completed in a single visit.
  • Reduced Discomfort: There is less discomfort after treatment.

Anti-Anxiety Pills

The most commonly prescribed dental-related drugs for treating anxiety belong to the “benzodiazepine” family, including Valium, Halcion, Xanax, and Ativan. These drugs reduce anxiety by binding to and calming activity within the brain’s “fear” receptors.

There are two types of benzodiazepines:

  • Sedative-Hypnotics: These drugs induce calm, drowsiness, and even sleep. This sleep state is a form of physiological hypnosis.
  • Anti-Anxiety Drugs: These drugs relieve anxiety and induce a state of calm and relaxation.

While benzodiazepines act as both sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs, some specifically target sleep centers in the brain, while others target fear centers. Higher doses generally act as sedatives and induce sleep, while lower doses reduce anxiety without causing sedation.

Important Considerations:

  • Benzodiazepines are Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants and can lower blood pressure and breathing rates. They should not be mixed with other CNS depressants such as alcohol.
  • Always follow the dosage recommended by your dentist or doctor to avoid the risk of overdose, which can lead to dangerously low breathing, coma, or death.
  • Do not travel alone after taking these drugs. Ensure you have an escort, even if you traveled by bus or foot, as it’s easy to become disoriented.

If you believe Sedation Dentistry could help you, contact Dr. Charlton at Del Mar View Dental Care to discuss your options and ensure a stress-free dental experience.

Our office offers patients the option of Intravenous Sedation, also known as Dental Intravenous Anesthesia or “Twilight Sedation,” for their dental treatments. This is a unique feature of our practice, setting us apart from other dental offices.

Intravenous Sedation

Intravenous Sedation, or “twilight sleep,” helps you feel comfortable and calm during dental procedures. With IV sedation, you can undergo your dental treatments in a very relaxed state, making it easier to tolerate and not remember any potentially uncomfortable procedures. This method effectively alleviates the anxiety associated with dental treatments. You may not always be fully asleep but will feel comfortable, calm, and relaxed, drifting in and out of sleep.

If you choose IV sedation, Dr. Charlton will administer and monitor your sedation/anesthesia, eliminating the need for costly treatments in an operating room or same-day surgical facility.

How is IV Sedation Administered?

A thin needle is introduced into a vein in your arm or hand, connected to an intravenous tube through which medication is administered to help you relax. If a patient’s vein cannot sustain the needle for the procedure’s duration, the medications will be administered, and the needle will be retrieved, achieving the same desired level of conscious sedation. Some patients may sleep, while others will drift in and out of sleep. Patients with certain medical conditions or specific drug regimens may only be lightly sedated and may not sleep at all.

The goal of IV sedation is to use as little medication as possible to complete the treatment. With IV sedation, a constant “drip” is maintained via the intravenous tube, and an antidote can be administered to reverse the medication’s effects if necessary. IV sedation is very safe!

Additional Sedation Options

We also offer different levels of sedation, including nitrous oxide analgesia, oral sedation, or a combination of both. These modalities can be tailored to your specific needs or desires, all administered and monitored by Dr. Charlton in the safety and comfort of our office.

Sedation Dentistry for Special Groups

Elderly Patients: As we age, oral health becomes increasingly important. Periodontal disease can lead to bone and tooth loss, affecting daily life. Sedation dentistry can help elderly patients receive necessary treatments comfortably and without anxiety. This is crucial as many elderly individuals avoid dental visits due to medical concerns, anxiety, transportation difficulties, or fixed incomes. Sedation allows these patients to receive care while relaxed, helping them maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

Disabled Patients: People with disabilities often face challenges in accessing proper dental care. Our team at Del Mar View Dental Care has the expertise, state-of-the-art equipment, and dedication necessary to provide excellent oral care for special-needs patients. Sedation dentistry can help overcome difficulties such as severe gag reflexes, dry mouth from medication, and challenges in maintaining oral hygiene. Dr. Charlton’s skills in anesthesia for special-needs patients ensure a comfortable and effective dental experience.

Patients with Dental Phobia: Dental phobia is a real and overwhelming condition for many people. Fear of needles, drills, or previous negative experiences can cause extreme anxiety about visiting the dentist. At Del Mar View Dental Care, we understand the very real nature of these fears. Our staff treats you with delicacy and care, while IV sedation allows you to experience dentistry in a whole new way. While you enjoy a pleasant sleep-like experience, Dr. Charlton will ensure you “wake up” with the desired results.

For all your sedation dentistry needs, Dr. Charlton and our team are here to provide a comfortable, stress-free dental experience.

Reviewed by Dr. Daniel Charlton, DDS
Reviewed on August 20, 2026.