McLeanSedation Dentistry

Sedation Dentistry in McLean, VA

World-Class, Anxiety-Free Dental Care.

Many patients dread going to the dentist, but in today’s age of modern dentistry, there is little need to be nervous, anxious or scared about an upcoming visit to the dentist’s office.

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Is Sedation Dentistry Right for Me?

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What makes a dental visit hard for you?

Fear or anxiety about the dentistA strong gag reflexA long treatment ahead, such as a full archA tooth that has to come out
Benefits of Sedation

What Sedation Makes Possible

Sedation lets anxious patients get the care they have been putting off. At our practice it is kept to nitrous oxide and oral sedation, both given by Dr. Nahlah’s own clinical team.

2 optionsNitrous oxide and oral
BLS & ACLSProvider certified
AwakeRelaxed and responsive throughout

Calm, Yet Awake

Nitrous oxide and oral sedation both leave you awake and responsive, simply relaxed.

Care You Have Put Off

If fear or a sensitive gag reflex has kept you from cleanings and fillings, sedation can be used for those too.

More Done in One Visit

Under sedation, more of your treatment can often be done in one appointment rather than split across several.

Little to Remember

With oral sedation, some patients recall little of the appointment afterwards.

Home Under Your Own Steam

Nitrous oxide acts fast and needs a shorter recovery, so in most cases patients drive themselves home.

Health Beyond the Mouth

Getting treatment you have avoided protects more than your teeth, since gum disease can raise the risk of diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease.

Are You in Need of Sedation Dentistry?

Don’t Let Your Dental Anxiety Stand in the Way

No matter how much you may suffer from dental anxiety, don’t let your fears get in the way of receiving the oral care and treatment you need. Adequate oral health can even have major repercussions on the health and well-being of your entire body. In fact, gum disease and other types of oral disease can increase your risk of a number of physical health complications, such as diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease. If you prolong dental treatment due to fear or anxiety, you may be putting your physiological health at risk in ways that you’re not even aware of. Do any of these sound like you?

  • Are you scared of going to the dentist?
  • Do you suffer from dental anxiety?
  • Do you have an overly sensitive gag reflex?
  • Do you have a low tolerance for pain?
  • Are you in need of multiple treatments and/or surgeries?
Sedation Options

Sedation Options at Our Practice

We offer dental sedation options to make your experience a positive one, including oral sedation and nitrous oxide sedation. Depending on the extent of your treatment and your personal health, Dr. Nahlah’s own clinical team will give you whichever suits you best. These are the only two kinds we offer.

Mildest

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Commonly referred to as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is a common dental sedation option that is typically milder than oral sedation. Some patients do, however, doze off in the chair (which may be exactly what you want!). Not only are the effects of nitrous sedation faster-acting than oral sedation, but nitrous oxide typically requires shorter recovery times, as well, allowing patients to drive themselves home after their procedure in most cases.

Deeper

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation is a prescribed sedative taken before the appointment. You stay awake, deeply relaxed. It typically requires arrangement of transportation to and from your dental appointment.

As needed

Local anesthetic

Used wherever a procedure calls for it, with or without sedation. It numbs the area being treated; sedation is what keeps you calm.

Why Choose Us

Why Choose Dr. Nahlah for Sedation Dentistry

Sedation is only as safe as the people giving it. At our practice it stays with Dr. Nahlah’s own clinical team and stops at the two kinds given safely in a dental chair.

What to askOur practiceOther offices
Life supportDr. Nahlah is a BLS and ACLS providerAsk who in the room is certified in life support
Who gives itDr. Nahlah’s own clinical team, in the officeSome bring in an outside team for sedation days
Kinds offeredNitrous oxide and oral sedation only, the two given safely in a dental chairAsk exactly which kind you will be given, and why
ChoosingChosen with you at the consultation, from your health, your medicines and the treatmentSome decide on the day of treatment
The roomsQuiet, daylit rooms with doors that closeSome treat patients in open bays
Long treatmentMore of a long case, such as implant surgery, often done in one appointmentSome split a large case across many visits
Who does the dentistryA board-certified prosthodontist plans and does the work himselfA surgeon, a dentist and an outside lab each handle a part
LocationSedation at our Tysons Corner officeSome offer it at one location only
Safe and Comfortable

Scared About Seeing the Dentist? Don't Be.

At our McLean office, we go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable, secure, and anxiety-free, no matter the dental procedure you need. Dr. Esam Abou Nahlah and his team of dental experts take every step necessary to ensure that your treatments and procedures are as safe, comfortable and pain-free as possible. Our sedation is kept to the two kinds given safely in a dental chair, nitrous oxide and oral sedation, and Dr. Nahlah is a BLS & ACLS provider. We believe nothing should get in the way of quality dental care, which is why we’re here to speak with you about easing your dental fears and getting you into the office for the care and treatment you need.

See the full credential list

Dr. Esam Abou NahlahD.D.S., M.S.
Meet the Doctor

Meet Dr. Esam Abou Nahlah

As an award-winning board-certified specialist in prosthodontic dentistry, Dr. Nahlah provides patients with a premier level of dental care using the industry’s most advanced technology. He has been practicing since 2003, in Northern Virginia since 2013, entirely on prosthodontics. Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics and Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists. In 2013, the American Board of Prosthodontics awarded Dr. Nahlah the most prestigious award in prosthodontics: “Diplomate of American Board of Prosthodontics.”

Adjunct faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University, teaching the residents in its Prosthodontics Postgraduate Program, and lecturing on smile design and implants.

Across that career, over 18,000 implants placed and over 15,000 arches restored.

Credentials & Certifications

  • Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
  • Fellow, American College of Prosthodontists
  • Adjunct Faculty, VCU Prosthodontics Postgraduate Program
  • Certificate in Prosthodontics
  • M.S., Master of Science in Oral Biology
  • Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists
  • Associate Fellow, American Academy of Implant Dentistry
Meet Dr. Nahlah

What My McLean Patients Say

Getting Here

How to Find My McLean Office

  • Suite 220 at 7901 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102
  • Park under the building; the office is on the second floor
  • Monday to Thursday 8 to 5, Friday 8 to 2
  • New patients: (703) 448-3312. Current patients: (571) 702-9832.
  • Close to Vienna, Great Falls, Falls Church and Reston

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Related Care

Treatments You Can Discuss With Sedation

Also hereSame-Day Dental ImplantsOur FacilityFinancingMeet Dr. Nahlah
Questions

Your Sedation Questions, Answered

Will I be unconscious?
No. Nitrous oxide and oral sedation both leave you awake and responsive. Oral sedation is the deeper of the two: you feel drowsy and relaxed, and some patients remember little of the appointment afterwards. Nitrous is lighter still: you stay awake and simply stop minding. I offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation only.
Can I drive myself home?
After nitrous oxide, in most cases yes. After oral sedation, no: transport to and from the appointment has to be arranged in advance.
Is sedation only for surgery?
No. It can be used for most procedures, once I know it is right for you. If anxiety or a gag reflex is what has kept you away from routine care, say so when you book.
Who administers it?
My own clinical team, in my office. Which of the two suits you depends on the extent of treatment and your personal health, and we settle it together at your consultation.
How do I arrange sedation at your McLean office?
Say so when you book with my Tysons Corner office on (571) 702-9832. It changes how I plan the appointment, and oral sedation needs a ride arranged both ways.
Do you offer any deeper kinds of sedation?
No. I offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation only, both given in my office by my own clinical team. Oral sedation can help you stay relaxed through long cases such as a full-arch procedure. After oral sedation, you need someone to drive you to and from the appointment.

Quality Oral Care, Without the Anxiety.

Schedule with me today for safe, convenient, state-of-the-art dental care. Get in touch with my team and speak with one of them about dental sedation options that can make your visit a quick, easy and painless one! Call (571) 702-9832, or book online for my Tysons Corner office.