Sedation Dentistry in Westlake Village, CA
Less Fear. More Calm. Care You Can Finally Finish.
You know you need the work. The racing heart, the gagging, or the memory of one bad visit keeps pushing it back another month. Sedation dentistry in Westlake Village helps you relax enough to get through treatment, comfortably and at your pace.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help anxious patients relax during dental treatment. Lighter sedation takes the edge off while you stay fully aware, and deeper sedation leaves you drowsy enough that many patients remember little of the appointment. The level is matched to your anxiety, your health, and the treatment you need.
Sedation calms your nerves. Numbing blocks the pain. Most anxious patients get both.
Will I Be Asleep During Sedation Dentistry?
Usually not fully. Most dental sedation relaxes you deeply while keeping you able to breathe on your own and respond to the team.
With lighter sedation, you stay aware but calm. With deeper sedation, you may drift and feel like the visit passed quickly.
Who Sedation Dentistry Helps
Sedation is for anyone whose fear or physical response keeps getting in the way of care.
It often helps patients who:
- Feel panic, nausea, or a racing heart before appointments
- Have a strong gag reflex during x-rays or treatment
- Are sensitive to dental sounds, smells, or sensations
- Need a longer visit or several procedures at once
- Had a past dental experience that still sticks with them
Patients most often pair sedation with root canals, tooth extractions, dental implants, and dental crowns. It also helps with emergency dental visits and the routine cleanings and exams that have been put off the longest.
What Brings Patients In
Connie B. had dreaded dental visits for years. "I am generally very afraid of dental appointments, but they made it very comfortable," she wrote after her visit.
What stood out to her wasn't just the comfort. It was how she was treated. Dr. Looyzadeh, she said, "takes care of anxious patients with respect and tons of TLC."
How Sedation Works at Our Office
- Talk it through. Dr. Melina reviews your health history and medications, then helps you choose the lightest option that works.
- Arrive ready. For deeper sedation, follow the prep instructions and bring someone to drive you.
- Relax through treatment. The area is numbed, the team checks in throughout, and you can ask to pause at any time.
- Head home. Lighter sedation wears off quickly. After deeper sedation, you'll rest at home for the day.
Why Westlake Village Dentist for Sedation Dentistry
Dr. Melina Looyzadeh, DDS graduated with honors from the USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry in 2010 and has nearly 17 years of experience. Very nervous patients find her gentle, and she explains every step simply and honestly before it happens.
The office offers 3 levels of sedation: nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to take the edge off, oral sedation in pill form for deeper relaxation, and IV sedation for patients who need the most help. Nitrous and oral sedation require no needles.
Patients can also ask for light-blocking glasses, headphones, or earplugs. Needing help to relax isn't a weakness. It's often the reason someone finally finishes the care they've put off for years.
What Our Patients Say
Westlake Village Dentist holds a 4.9-star rating across 190+ Google reviews from patients in Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, and Agoura Hills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually not fully. Nitrous oxide relaxes you while you stay aware, while oral and IV sedation leave you deeply drowsy. Many patients who choose deeper sedation remember little of the visit afterward.
For most healthy adults, yes. Dr. Melina reviews your health history and current medications before recommending any sedation, and she'll choose a different option if one isn't a good fit. Tell the team about every prescription and supplement you take.
Only with oral or IV sedation. Nitrous oxide wears off within minutes, so you can drive yourself. After oral or IV sedation, plan for a friend or family member to drive you and stay with you until the drowsiness passes.
Yes. Sedation relaxes the body, which often calms the gag reflex enough for x-rays, scans, and treatment to go smoothly.
Yes. Westlake Village Dentist offers nitrous oxide, oral, and IV sedation and accepts all PPO plans. Coverage for sedation varies by plan, and you'll get a written cost breakdown before treatment.
Get the Care You've Been Avoiding, Without the Dread
Fear has made the decision long enough. With sedation and a team that moves at your pace, the appointment you've been putting off can finally feel manageable. Call or book online, mention sedation, and Dr. Melina will help you choose the option that gets you through it.