Dental anxiety is more common than most people realize. Studies from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research indicate that fear of the dentist causes many patients to delay or avoid care altogether — allowing small problems to become serious ones. At Alber Dental Studio in Boulder, our approach to dental anxiety is built around two things: safe, effective sedation options and a team that genuinely slows down to make you feel cared for at every visit.
Dr. Marc Alber and Dr. Lauren Llorente have spent over 26 years helping anxious patients access the dental care they need — and deserve. Whether you feel mild unease during cleanings or have avoided the dentist for years due to fear, we have sedation options and a practice environment designed specifically to change that experience for you.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses safe, clinically proven medications to reduce anxiety and increase comfort during dental procedures. It does not replace local anesthesia — your teeth and gums are still numbed in the usual way. Instead, sedation addresses the mental and emotional experience of the appointment: the sounds, the sensations, the feeling of being in the chair. Depending on the type and level of sedation used, patients typically feel deeply relaxed, less aware of treatment time, and have reduced memory of the procedure afterward.
Sedation is appropriate for a wide range of patients — not just those with severe phobia. You may benefit from sedation if you:
Dr. Marc Alber, DDS & Dr. Lauren Llorente, DDS
Dr. Alber and Dr. Llorente have spent over 26 combined years helping patients throughout Boulder access dental care comfortably — including many who had avoided treatment for years out of fear. Both doctors are known for moving at the patient’s pace, explaining procedures clearly before beginning, and adjusting the approach based on your comfort signals throughout the appointment. Sedation options are available for any procedure, from routine cleanings to complex restorative work.
As a fee-for-service practice, we are not contracted with insurance networks — meaning your sedation and treatment plan is based entirely on what is best for you. We offer 0% financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and Altheon to make sedation dentistry accessible regardless of coverage.
Our Sedation Dentistry Options
We offer two levels of sedation to match the needs of different patients and procedure types. Dr. Alber reviews your medical history and anxiety level during your consultation and recommends the approach that is safest and most effective for you.
- Patients who feel anxious or fearful about dental visits
- Patients who have avoided the dentist for years due to fear
- Patients with a sensitive gag reflex
- Patients needing complex or lengthy treatment in fewer visits
- Patients who have had a traumatic past dental experience
- Patients who have difficulty sitting still for extended periods
Dr. Alber will explain all your options clearly and recommend only what your situation actually calls for.
What to Expect at Your Visit
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide is inhaled through a small nasal mask and takes effect within minutes. You remain fully conscious and able to communicate throughout your appointment, but feel noticeably calmer and less aware of the procedure. The effects wear off quickly — most patients can drive themselves home and resume normal activities immediately after their visit. Nitrous oxide also helps suppress the gag reflex and improves local anesthesia effectiveness, making it useful for a wide range of procedures from routine cleanings to crown placements.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation involves taking a prescribed medication before your appointment. By the time you arrive, you feel deeply relaxed — though you remain conscious and able to respond to instructions throughout. Most patients feel so at ease that they have little memory of the procedure afterward, and many report that long, complex treatments felt as though they lasted just minutes. Because the medication’s effects last several hours, you will need a driver to take you home. Oral sedation is ideal for patients with moderate to severe anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or anyone undergoing extensive treatment such as dental implants or full-mouth restoration.
Your Sedation Appointment
At your consultation, Dr. Alber reviews your health history and anxiety level to determine which sedation option is most appropriate. On appointment day, your sedation is administered, treatment is completed while you are comfortable and relaxed, and our team monitors you throughout. For oral sedation patients, we confirm your driver arrangements in advance. We provide clear post-care instructions before you leave.
Scheduling & Follow-Up
Before you leave, we schedule your next appointment based on your recommended interval — six months for most patients, more frequently if your periodontal status warrants it. Consistency is what preventive care is built on.
Dental Care Doesn't Have to Feel Stressful
Tell us about your anxiety before you arrive. We’ll walk you through your options at no pressure and build your appointment around your comfort — at every step.
Comparing Your Sedation Options
Nitrous Oxide vs. Oral Conscious Sedation
Both options are safe and effective — the right choice depends on your anxiety level, health history, and the type of procedure. Dr. Alber reviews all of this at your consultation.
| Nitrous Oxide | Oral Conscious Sedation | |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety level | Mild to moderate | Moderate to severe |
| How administered | Inhaled through nasal mask | Prescribed pill taken before appointment |
| Recovery time | Wears off quickly — can drive home | Several hours — driver required |
| Best for | Routine to moderate procedures, patients returning to work same day | Lengthy or complex procedures, severe phobia |
| Memory of procedure | Fully aware throughout | Little to no memory of treatment |
Beyond Sedation
A Comfortable Office Environment
Sedation is one part of how we help anxious patients feel comfortable. Our office also provides a range of comfort amenities designed to reduce stress from the moment you walk in:
We keep the treatment environment calm and relaxed. Blankets and pillows are available for any patient who wants them — no need to ask.
Watching TV or listening to music through headphones during treatment is a proven distraction technique that helps many patients stay relaxed. We encourage you to use these throughout your appointment.
We build extra time into appointments for anxious patients. If you need a break at any point, signal us and we stop immediately — no questions asked. The appointment moves at the pace that feels right to you.
We offer appointments starting at 7:00 AM on Fridays. If you prefer a quieter office experience with fewer other patients around, let us know when you call — we will do our best to accommodate that preference.
Sedation Dentistry With No Insurance Barriers
As a fee-for-service practice, we are not contracted with insurance companies — which means sedation and treatment decisions are based entirely on your clinical needs and comfort goals. Many patients submit claims directly to their insurer for partial reimbursement. We also offer 0% financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and Altheon to make care accessible regardless of coverage.
Sedation Makes More Possible
Procedures Available With Sedation
Sedation is available for any procedure we offer — from routine cleanings to complex restorations. These are some of the most common treatments our sedation patients receive.
Sedation is available for emergency procedures — particularly helpful for patients who have been avoiding care due to fear and arrive in pain.
Oral conscious sedation is ideal for implant placement — a longer procedure that many patients tolerate far more comfortably under sedation.
Nitrous oxide is commonly used during crown prep to suppress the gag reflex and improve comfort throughout a single-visit CEREC crown placement.
Sedation — particularly oral conscious sedation — significantly reduces anxiety around root canal treatment, which many patients have been delaying due to fear.
Read What Our Customers Are Saying
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Yes. Both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation have long, well-established safety records in dentistry. Before any sedation is administered, Dr. Alber reviews your health history, current medications, and any contraindications. We monitor your vital signs throughout the appointment and follow standard safety protocols for every patient.
Will I be unconscious during sedation?
No. With both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation, you remain conscious and able to respond to questions throughout your appointment. Nitrous oxide produces a relaxed, slightly euphoric feeling while keeping you fully aware. Oral sedation produces deeper relaxation — most patients feel drowsy and have little memory of the procedure — but you are not put fully under general anesthesia.
Can I drive home after sedation dentistry?
It depends on which type of sedation you receive. Nitrous oxide wears off within minutes of removing the nasal mask — most patients drive themselves home with no difficulty. Oral conscious sedation lasts several hours, so you will need a driver to take you home and should plan to rest for the remainder of the day. We confirm all arrangements before your appointment.
Does sedation dentistry cost extra?
Sedation is billed separately from the procedure itself. Nitrous oxide is typically a modest add-on fee. Oral conscious sedation involves a prescription and office administration fee. As a fee-for-service practice, we provide full pricing transparency before your appointment — there are no surprises. We offer 0% financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and Altheon to help manage costs.
Can sedation be used for any dental procedure?
Yes. Sedation is available for any procedure we offer — from a routine cleaning or filling to implant placement, root canals, extractions, or complex restorative work. If anxiety has been a barrier to any type of dental care, let us know and we will discuss whether sedation makes sense for your specific situation.
What if I've had a bad experience at the dentist before?
Tell us about it before your appointment. Knowing what happened before helps Dr. Alber and our team understand what went wrong and take concrete steps to ensure the same thing does not happen here. Many of our most grateful patients are those who had given up on dental care entirely before finding an approach that finally worked for them. We take that responsibility seriously.
Comfortable Dental Care in Boulder, CO — On Your Terms
Dr. Marc Alber and Dr. Lauren Llorente have spent over 26 years helping anxious patients access dental care comfortably. Our fee-for-service practice in Boulder serves patients throughout Superior, Louisville, Broomfield, Longmont, Erie, and the surrounding Front Range. Fear should never stand between you and a healthy smile — request an appointment online or call our team to talk about your sedation options.