Anchorage Sedation Dentistry Services
Gentle Dentistry for Anxious and Nervous Patients in Anchorage
If the thought of a dental visit makes your stomach drop, you're exactly who we built this page for.
Maybe it's been two years. Maybe it's been fifteen. Maybe you've driven past our office on DeBarr Road a dozen times and kept going. Whatever brought you here, you won't get a lecture from us. You'll get a plan, at your pace, and you'll stay in control the whole time.
You're not alone, and we won't judge you
Dental anxiety is one of the most common things we see. Studies put serious dental fear at roughly 1 in 6 adults, and about 1 in 5 people put off care because of it. We've cared for Anchorage's nervous patients since 1999, and a big share of our practice is people who once described themselves as "dental phobic."
So no, we won't be shocked by how long it's been. We won't scold you about what we find. We'll tell you plainly what's going on, what's urgent and what can wait, and we'll go one step at a time.
Your first visit can be just a conversation
If walking in the door is the hard part, start small. Book a first visit that's only a sit-down: meet the doctor, see the office, ask questions. No drill, no cleaning, nothing in your mouth unless you say so. When you're ready for an exam, here's how a first appointment goes:
We talk first. You tell us your history, your fears, and what a bad experience looked like for you. This shapes everything else.
You set the signals. Raise your left hand and we stop. Right away, every time, no questions.
We look, then we explain. An exam and X-rays, then a plain-language walkthrough of what we found, with photos so you can see it yourself.
You choose the pace. We'll lay out what's urgent and what isn't. Nothing gets scheduled until you're comfortable with the plan and the cost.
Dr. Ben Mishler is trained in sedation dentistry and offers dental sedation in his east Anchorage office
Ways to stay calm without medication
Sedation is an option, and for many patients so is a set of simpler comforts:
Watch a movie during treatment. Yes, really. Pick something and let it carry your attention while we work.
Headphones and music if you'd rather drown out the sounds.
A stop signal and breaks whenever you need them. You're in control of the pace.
Tell-show-do. We explain each step, show you the instrument, then proceed. No surprises.
Slow breathing helps more than people expect. Try box breathing in the chair: in for 4, hold 4, out 4, hold 4. We'll coach you through it.
Sedation options, compared plainly
Dr. Ben Mishler is DOCS-certified in oral conscious sedation and IV moderate sedation, and completed a 115-hour IV sedation program through OAGD/OHSU. That training matters: sedation is very safe when it's administered by someone certified for it, with your vitals monitored throughout.
| Nitrous oxide"laughing gas" | Oral sedationa pill | IV sedation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it feels | Relaxed, a little floaty | Deeply relaxed, drowsy; most patients remember little | Deeply relaxed; most patients remember almost nothing |
| Are you awake? | Yes | Yes, but very relaxed | Yes, but barely aware |
| Recovery | Wears off in 5 to 10 minutes; you can drive yourself home | Rest of the day off; you'll need a ride home | Rest of the day off; you'll need a ride home |
| Good for | Mild nerves, routine visits | Moderate to strong anxiety | Strong anxiety, longer visits, getting years of work done in fewer appointments |
Patients who sat exactly where you're sitting
Patients who sat exactly where you're sitting
They have cured me of being scared to go to the dentist. All their hygienists are gentle and happy to work with you if it gets painful. They are quick and thorough, and have generally been amazing every time I come in. I'd drive in from the valley for this kind of service.
It was my first visit to Peak Health Dentistry and my first trip to the dentist since COVID. Dan was my hygienist; he was extremely nice and didn't make me feel bad that so much time had elapsed since my last cleaning.
Dr. Mishler and his team are amazing! My son was nervous about his procedure and Dr. Mishler explained things clearly and helped him to feel very comfortable. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Our experience was 5 stars all the way! Highly recommend
Questions anxious patients actually ask us
For complex cases we can also talk through general anesthesia options. At your consultation we'll match the right level to your anxiety, your health history, and the work needed. You'll never be pushed into more sedation than you want.
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No. A large share of our patients came to us after years away, and we treat that as a fresh start, never a failure. Your first visit can be just a conversation, and we'll sort out together what's urgent and what can wait.
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Yes, when it's administered by a certified provider with proper monitoring. Dr. Mishler is DOCS-certified in oral conscious sedation and IV moderate sedation, with a 115-hour IV sedation program through OAGD/OHSU, and we monitor your vital signs throughout your visit.
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With nitrous and oral sedation you stay awake but deeply relaxed. With IV sedation you're awake but barely aware, and most patients remember almost nothing afterward. You can respond to us the whole time.
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Yes. You can watch a movie or listen to music during treatment, use a stop hand signal any time, take breaks whenever you need them, and we'll walk you through each step before it happens.
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Both are common and both are manageable. Nitrous helps settle a gag reflex, oral sedation avoids needles entirely until you're already relaxed, and we numb the area before any injection so you feel pressure, not pain.
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Yes. New patients, including very nervous ones, are a normal part of our week. We also keep room for same-day emergency visits. Call or text (907) 337-0304.
Anxiety-free dentistry in East Anchorage
When you come in for your appointment, we will go over all of the sedation options and walk you through the process. Our goal is for you to be as relaxed as possible, with no anxiety.
What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry allows dental offices to assist in managing patients’ fears and phobias through anesthetics and dental sleep medicine. Dental Anesthesia is given to a patient prior to having dental work done to dull pain, relax and ease anxiety. A dentist’s techniques vary depending on the patient, their dental health, and the work being done.
You could have less fear going to your next dental visit! From the moment you visit our waiting room for your next dental appointment, our music and dental staff will help you feel relaxed. You will experience less anxiety and fear going to the dentist after using sedation to quickly have today’s dental procedures done without dental pain.
How does Being Sedated work?
Here is an overview:
Your Dentist and you will decide which sedation option would be best for you..
Most adults and youth older than 15 can take advantage of sedation dentistry, especially for major or complicated dental procedures to correct oral health issues. For children under 15 years old we offer Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas/Space Gas) to help relax them.
If you chose to be moderately sedated, you will still be awake during your visit, while being in a sedated and very relaxed state. Most of our patients say they don’t remember much of the appointment, if any.
You will need a family member or a responsible adult to come with you for your procedure and help you afterwards. The exception to this is if you elect to only use Nitrous Oxide as a mild sedative, in which case you can, except in rare cases, be back to feeling normal within 5-10 minutes.
Let our dentists know if you have any health problems before sedation dentistry is attempted. For every appointment that involves any sedation, besides Nitrous Oxide, you will have a pre-op appointment and can discuss any health concerns with your dentist.
If you are taking any prescription drugs, please inform us so you will not have problems with conscious sedation.
Please review our forms, found by clicking on the IV Sedation Consent Form (PDF) and Post-Op Escort Instructions (PDF) links
If you have dental anxiety visiting the dentist or low tolerance for pain this type of gentle dentistry may be for you. Don't let temporary dental phobia keep you from the smile you deserve.
Make an introductory appointment with Peak Health Dentistry and we can advise whether you are a good candidate for dental sedation.
Why choose a skilled Anchorage Sedation dentist?
A dentist like Dr. Ben Mishler can make your dental visit more pleasant by reducing anxiety and improving pain control. There is a common misunderstanding that being sedated is equivalent to Sleep Dentistry. They are not the same and most Dentist are not qualified to put people to “sleep” (i.e. General Anesthesia) and in most cases it is not necessary or even wise to have general anesthesia in a dental setting. The purpose of this is to make you relaxed, sedate, apathetic, yet NOT asleep. If you want to be completely asleep, general anesthesia is necessary. Having said that, many patients who have been moderately sedated have the feeling that they were put to sleep because they often don’t remember much the appointment.
What Sedation is used for Dentistry?
The Choice is Yours! Here are Dental Sedation Options.
Ask Dr. Mishler about which method is best for you.
Oral sedation (tablets or liquid)
Nitrous Oxide otherwise known as “laughing gas”
Intravenous, through an IV
Combinations of the above
General Anesthesia
Learn More at the American Dental Association
Sedation dentistry allows us to perform complex procedures in less time, which often allows us to get more necessary treatment done in fewer appointments.
Our Dentists are experts at Sedation Dentistry!
Dr. Ben Mishler has completed the following continuing dental education courses and specialized training:
IV sedation course administered and sponsored by the Oregon Academy of General Dentistry (OAGD) and the Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) School of Dentistry.
“This course meets or exceeds the American Dental Association’s Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists. It is a 115-hour course and includes a total of 69 hours of didactic education and 46 hours of clinical education. “
Western Surgical and Sedation
Pikos Institute - Sinus Grafting for Implant Reconstruction
Russo Seminars – Bone and Soft Tissue Grafting
DOCS – Oral Sedation Dentistry
Dr. Esplin has completed the following continuing dental education courses:
Adult minimum oral sedation