For many people with dental anxiety, the fear isn’t just about pain — it’s about losing control. This is especially true for those who have experienced trauma, PTSD, or panic attacks during previous dental visits. At Dr. Louis Siegelman’s New York City practice, sedation dentistry is approached with deep respect for each patient’s emotional comfort and personal boundaries.
Dr. Siegelman is a board-certified dental anesthesiologist with decades of experience treating patients who are fearful, phobic, or medically complex. His practice is known for helping those who have avoided the dentist for years feel safe and supported through customized care and advanced sedation options.
Why Control Matters in the Chair
For some patients, the idea of not being fully aware during treatment causes more fear than the treatment itself. Feeling vulnerable, uncertain, or unable to communicate can be triggering, particularly for survivors of past medical trauma or abuse. That’s why our dentists offer sedation dentistry that is not one-size-fits-all, but instead personalized to the patient’s level of comfort, medical needs, and emotional safety.
Types of Sedation That Keep You in Charge
Our practice offers multiple levels of sedation, each with different degrees of relaxation and awareness. For patients concerned about control, oral sedation and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) are often ideal. These options help patients feel calm and relaxed while still remaining conscious and able to communicate during the procedure.
For those who need a deeper level of sedation, IV sedation is available and administered with the highest level of safety and monitoring. Even with deeper sedation, the goal is never to take away autonomy — it’s to relieve fear and make dental care more manageable.
Building Trust Through Communication
Before any procedure, patients meet with our dentists to discuss concerns, review sedation options, and build a plan that works at their pace. Nothing is rushed, and patients are never pressured to move forward until they feel ready. This conversation-first approach is especially helpful for those who’ve had negative dental experiences in the past.
Take the First Step — Comfortably
Everything about the patient experience at Dr. Siegelman’s office — from the quiet waiting area to the kind and experienced staff — is built to reduce anxiety and restore trust. You’re in control of your care every step of the way.
If you’ve delayed dental care because you’re afraid of losing control, sedation dentistry with our team may be the solution you’ve been searching for. Contact (212) 974-8737 to schedule a private consultation in our NYC office. We’ll help you feel safe, supported, and heard.
