Sedation options in one familiar office
A Columbia dentist for anxious patients
Nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation in one familiar office. If fear has kept you from the dentist, you have options. Brickyard Dental Group offers multiple levels of sedation to help make treatment feel more manageable.
Three levels of sedation
Light
Nitrous oxide
A light option that works quickly and wears off fast. You stay awake and can usually drive yourself home.
Deeper
Oral sedation
A prescribed pill that creates deeper relaxation. You stay conscious, but you’ll need someone to drive you.
Deepest
IV sedation
Medication given through a vein for deeper, adjustable sedation. Most patients remember little of the procedure, making it helpful for longer or more complex treatment.
What IV sedation is like
You’ll follow fasting instructions before your visit, then a small IV is placed in your hand or arm. Your sedation level is adjusted throughout treatment while your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen are monitored.
To ensure your safety, Dr. Barno and Dr. Gray are certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. After treatment, the medication takes time to wear off and you may feel groggy, so you’ll need a driver to take you home and should plan to rest for the remainder of the day.
Who sedation dentistry can help
Dental anxiety is common, and for some patients, it can make even routine care feel overwhelming. Sedation may be worth discussing if:
Fear has kept you from the dentist for years
A strong gag reflex makes treatment difficult
Local anesthetic has not worked well for you before
You want to combine several procedures into one visit
You are planning implants, extractions, or full-mouth treatment
A Columbia sedation dentist can help make it easier to get the care you have been putting off.
Fewer appointments, not just easier ones
Sedation can make longer visits more manageable, which may allow your dentist to complete more treatment at once. Instead of spreading care across several appointments, some patients can combine procedures into one or two longer visits.
For complex or full-mouth treatment, that can mean fewer trips to the office and less time away from work or family.
Is IV sedation safe?
IV sedation is carefully planned around your health and medical history. Before treatment, your dentist reviews your medications and any heart, breathing, or other health concerns to make sure sedation is appropriate for you.
Your vital signs are monitored throughout the procedure. If a hospital setting would be safer for your needs, your dentist will recommend that instead.
What does sedation cost?
Sedation is priced separately from your dental treatment and usually depends on how long it is needed. Insurance coverage varies, so you’ll receive a written estimate before scheduling.
For larger treatment plans
For larger treatment plans, financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and iCredit Works may help spread the cost into monthly payments.
Word gets around in Northeast Columbia
Questions about sedation dentistry
No. Moderate IV sedation keeps you conscious and able to respond, but most patients remember little or nothing afterward. It is not general anesthesia.
Yes, for oral sedation and IV sedation. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly enough that you can drive yourself.
Dr. Mike Barno and Dr. Hudson Gray, both credentialed in IV sedation, for qualifying patients and procedures.
Nitrous oxide is available for children. IV sedation is evaluated case by case and depends on age, health history, and the treatment planned.
Coverage is limited and varies by plan. It is more likely when sedation accompanies surgical treatment. The front office checks your benefits and files the claim.
Start with a conversation
If dental anxiety is holding you back, tell us when you call. We’ll help you find the right Columbia sedation dentist and plan a visit around your comfort. Call (803) 736-1024 to get started.
Find us on
Rice Meadow Way
Looking for a dentist in Columbia who answers the phone before your workday starts? First appointments begin at 7 AM. We’re located just off the Clemson Road corridor in Northeast Columbia. Patients drive in from Blythewood, Elgin, Lugoff, Forest Acres, and Lake Carolina.
Mon 7:00–3:00
Tue–Thu 7:00–4:00
Fri 8:00–3:00