Sedation Dentistry in HIlliard, OH

Hilliard, OH Dentist » Sedation Dentistry

Relieve Dental Anxiety with Sedation Dentistry in Hilliard, OH

What is Sedation Dentistry and How Does it Work?

Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. At Just Smiles in Hilliard, we offer two levels: oral sedation, taken as a pill before your appointment, and IV sedation, administered through a small needle in the arm for deeper relaxation. Both keep you conscious and able to respond — you simply feel calm, comfortable, and largely unbothered by what is happening around you.

Dental anxiety affects roughly 36 percent of the population to some degree, with about 12 percent experiencing extreme dental fear. Sedation dentistry exists specifically for those patients. It also benefits people who need multiple procedures completed in a single visit, patients with a strong gag reflex, and anyone who has had a traumatic dental experience in the past.

At Just Smiles, our sedation protocols are overseen by Dr. Phil Chahine, who is DOCS sedation certified, and Dr. Will Kalout, who is IV sedation certified following his General Practice Residency at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. You are in experienced hands.

What Types of Sedation Does Just Smiles Hilliard Offer?

Just Smiles in Hilliard offers oral sedation and IV sedation. Oral sedation uses a prescription pill taken about an hour before your appointment. IV sedation is delivered intravenously for a deeper level of relaxation and is especially well suited for complex cases, lengthy procedures, or patients with severe dental anxiety.

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation is the most common sedation option at Just Smiles Hilliard. You take a prescribed sedative pill approximately one hour before your appointment. By the time you sit in the chair, you are in a deeply relaxed state. You remain awake and able to communicate, but most patients feel drowsy and remember very little of the visit afterward. Because the medication continues to work for several hours, you will need a driver to bring you to and from your appointment.

Oral sedation is a strong fit for:

• Patients with mild to moderate dental anxiety
• Anyone who tenses up at the sight of dental instruments
• Patients who have avoided the dentist for years due to fear
• People who want to get more done in fewer visits
• Patients with a sensitive gag reflex

IV Sedation

IV sedation delivers medication directly into the bloodstream through a small IV line, producing a deeper and faster-acting level of relaxation than oral sedation. Dr. Will Kalout, our in-house surgical and sedation specialist, administers IV sedation at our Hilliard office. Dr. Kalout completed his General Practice Residency at UNLV with a specific focus on surgery and IV sedation, and he is IV sedation certified.

IV sedation is the right choice for:

• Patients with severe or extreme dental anxiety
• Longer or more complex procedures such as multiple extractions, dental implant placements, or full-mouth work
• Patients who have not responded adequately to oral sedation in the past
• Patients who have had difficulty getting numb
• Anyone who needs to be completely at ease for treatment to proceed safely

Why Choose Just Smiles for Sedation Dentistry in Hilliard?

Just Smiles has offered sedation dentistry in Hilliard since the practice opened in 2003. Dr. Chahine is DOCS sedation certified and has completed over 1,500 hours of continuing education. Dr. Kalout is IV sedation certified and handles the practice’s most complex anxiety cases. Between them, nearly every level of dental anxiety has a solution here — without sending you to a separate specialist.

• Dr. Phil Chahine has been voted Top Columbus Dentist 13 consecutive years, 2013 through 2025, in peer surveys published by Columbus Monthly magazine.
• Dr. Chahine holds the Fellowship of the Academy of General Dentistry, a distinction earned by fewer than 7 percent of North American dentists.
• Dr. Kalout is IV sedation certified and completed his GPR at UNLV with a surgical and sedation focus — all surgical and high-anxiety cases stay in-house.
• DOCS sedation certification ensures protocols meet the highest safety standards in conscious sedation.
• Just Smiles is an independently owned, family-oriented practice. You are treated like a friend, not a case file.
• Both oral and IV sedation are available at the Hilliard office. Sedation is not available at our Westerville location.

Don’t Stress About Paying for Services

Not surprisingly, payment for dental services can sometimes be stressful. We take the hassle out of the process in our Hilliard, OH practice by offering many payment options. We accept payment from more than three dozen popular insurance plans. You can get third-party financing for services not covered by insurance. You can also choose our Just Smiles Dental Plan for freedom from insurance hassles.

What Should I Expect at a Sedation Dentistry Appointment at Just Smiles Hilliard?

At a sedation dentistry appointment at Just Smiles in Hilliard, you will arrive relaxed or be guided into relaxation before treatment begins, receive your dental care with little to no discomfort or anxiety, and wake up with the procedure complete and little memory of the visit. Most patients describe it as surprisingly easy.

Here is what the process looks like step by step:

Before your appointment: You will have a comprehensive exam and consultation first. Our Hilliard dentists will go over your health history, confirm you are a good candidate for sedation, and explain exactly what to expect. You will receive specific pre-appointment instructions including fasting guidelines if IV sedation is planned.

Day of your appointment: For oral sedation, you will take the prescribed pill about one hour before your scheduled time. For IV sedation, the medication is administered once you are seated. You will need a responsible adult to drive you to and from the office — no exceptions.

During treatment: You remain conscious and able to communicate, but deeply relaxed. Most patients feel little to no awareness of the procedure and have minimal or no memory of it afterward. Your provider monitors you throughout.

After your appointment: Sedation effects can linger for several hours. Plan to rest at home for the remainder of the day. You should not drive, operate machinery, or make important decisions until the medication has fully cleared. A trusted adult should be with you.

Sedation Dentistry FAQs

Is sedation dentistry safe?
Yes. Sedation dentistry is safe when administered by properly trained and certified providers. Dr. Chahine is DOCS sedation certified, and Dr. Kalout completed a surgical GPR at UNLV with a specific focus on IV sedation. Before any sedation appointment, your provider reviews your full health history, medications, and any contraindications. Your vital signs are monitored throughout the procedure. Just Smiles follows established safety protocols for every sedation case.

Will I be unconscious during sedation dentistry?
No. Both oral sedation and IV sedation at Just Smiles keep you in a state of conscious sedation — you remain awake and able to respond to questions, but you feel deeply relaxed and largely unaware of the procedure. General anesthesia, which renders patients fully unconscious, is not performed at Just Smiles. Most patients describe the experience as drifting in and out of a light sleep with no anxiety and little to no memory of the visit.

What is the difference between oral sedation and IV sedation?
Oral sedation uses a prescription pill taken about one hour before your appointment. It produces a calm, drowsy state and is well suited for mild to moderate anxiety or patients who want to be more comfortable during routine or restorative care. IV sedation is delivered intravenously and takes effect within minutes, producing a deeper level of relaxation. IV sedation is better suited for severe anxiety, lengthy procedures, or complex surgical cases. Dr. Chahine administers oral sedation. Dr. Kalout, our IV sedation certified specialist, handles all IV sedation cases.

Do I need someone to drive me to my sedation appointment?
Yes. A responsible adult driver is required for all oral and IV sedation appointments at Just Smiles Hilliard. The medication affects your coordination and reaction time for several hours after the procedure. You will not be permitted to drive yourself home. Plan to have your driver stay nearby or return to pick you up when your appointment is complete. We will give you a specific estimated timeframe when you book.

How much does sedation dentistry cost in Hilliard?
The cost of sedation dentistry at Just Smiles in Hilliard depends on which type of sedation is used and the length and complexity of the procedure. Oral sedation and IV sedation are priced differently. Some dental insurance plans include partial coverage for sedation when it is medically necessary — our team will check your benefits and explain your out-of-pocket estimate before your appointment. New patients can also take advantage of our free first oral sedation offer, a $450 value, following a comprehensive exam. Call us for current pricing details.

Does insurance cover sedation dentistry?
Coverage varies by plan. Some dental insurance policies cover sedation when it is deemed medically necessary — for example, for patients with documented anxiety disorders or for procedures requiring extended treatment time. Just Smiles accepts most major dental insurance plans including Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Aetna, Guardian, United Concordia, and many others. Our team will verify your benefits before your appointment so you know what to expect. If you do not have insurance, ask about the Just Smiles Dental Plan, our in-house membership option. Learn more about the Just Smiles Dental Plan.

Can I get sedation if I am only having a cleaning or routine exam?
Yes. If dental anxiety makes even routine cleanings uncomfortable or causes you to avoid them altogether, sedation dentistry may be appropriate. Many patients with dental phobia go years between visits because even a cleaning feels overwhelming. Just Smiles can evaluate whether oral sedation makes sense for your specific situation during your comprehensive exam. You do not need to have a complex procedure scheduled to ask about sedation options.

How long does it take to recover from sedation dentistry?
Most patients feel back to normal within 24 hours of oral sedation and within the same day for IV sedation, though individual recovery time varies. You should expect to rest for the remainder of the day following any sedation appointment. Avoid driving, operating machinery, consuming alcohol, or making important decisions until you are fully alert. Your provider will give you specific post-appointment instructions based on the type of sedation used and the procedures performed.

Is sedation dentistry available at both Just Smiles locations?
No. Oral sedation and IV sedation are available only at our Hilliard office located at 1921 Hilliard Rome Rd, Hilliard, OH 43026. Sedation dentistry is not offered at our Westerville location. If you are a Westerville patient who needs sedation, we welcome you at Hilliard.


Say Goodbye to Dental Anxiety with Oral & IV Sedation in Hilliard

If you’ve been putting off much-needed dental treatment due to fear of the dentist, call 614-363-0030. Our Hilliard, OH office serves patients from all over the Columbus area.