New Hanover County · Since 1987
Sedation Dentistry in Castle Hayne, NC
Sedation is for people who have been putting this off for years. If the reason you are reading this is that the last visit went badly, we do this often and nobody here is going to make you feel foolish about it.
- Three doctors, one location
- Sedation available
- Most major plans accepted
- Written estimates before treatment
sedation, explained
Options range from nitrous oxide, which wears off before you drive home, through oral sedation that leaves most of the appointment hazy, to deeper IV sedation for longer surgical work.
Why Castle Hayne patients come to us for this
Castle Hayne runs on shift work, the nuclear campus, the airport and the rail corridor, and employer dental benefits go unused every year.
Getting several things done under one sedation appointment means one day off rather than four.
River Bluffs has added a different resident profile to what was a rural community a decade ago.
ILM airport sits just south of Castle Hayne, and the NC-133 run to N. 23rd Street avoids the worst of the city traffic.
GE Vernova Hitachi is the anchor employer, and shift patterns there shape how we schedule Castle Hayne appointments.
We see patients from across Castle Hayne and the surrounding area, including GE Vernova Hitachi, ILM airport, River Bluffs and the 28429 ZIP code.
New Hanover County is the built-out core of the region, growing around one percent a year, with roughly 21 percent of residents over 65 and the highest concentration of employer dental coverage in southeastern North Carolina.
Employer plans usually cover a meaningful share of this, and the balance resets in January whether you used it or not.
Early morning appointments starting at 8:00 so a cleaning does not cost you a shift.
You may be a candidate if
- You avoid the dentist because of fear, and have for years
- A previous appointment was painful or humiliating
- You have a strong gag reflex
- You need extensive work and would rather do it in fewer visits
- Sitting still for long appointments is difficult for you
- Local anesthetic has not worked well for you in the past
What the process looks like
- Conversation firstWe talk about what specifically is difficult. Often it is one particular thing rather than the whole visit.
- Medical reviewMedications, conditions and history determine which option is safe for you.
- Choosing a levelNitrous, oral, or IV. We explain what each feels like and what the day looks like.
- TreatmentYou are monitored throughout.
- RecoveryNitrous wears off in minutes. Oral and IV need a driver and a quiet afternoon.
Afterwards
With nitrous you can drive yourself home. With oral or IV sedation you need someone to drive you, and you should plan to do nothing much for the rest of the day. Follow the eating instructions we give you before the appointment.
Follow-up appointments are brief and we open at 8:00, so they rarely cost more than the start of a shift.
What it costs
Nitrous oxide is a modest addition to the visit. Oral and IV sedation are priced by the length of the appointment. Some plans contribute when sedation is medically necessary rather than elective. We will check and tell you either way.
Employer dental benefits reset annually and unused balance does not carry over. If you have not used yours this year, it is worth checking what is left before December.
In their own words
Hear from Dr. Josh Winneberger
Dr. Winneberger on getting you numb without you noticing, and helping nervous patients get comfortable in the chair.
Questions we get asked
I am embarrassed about the state of my teeth.
You are describing the majority of people who ask us about sedation. It is not a reaction we have.
Can I have sedation for a cleaning?
Yes. Nitrous for a hygiene visit is common and there is nothing unusual about asking for it.
How far is your office from Castle Hayne?
About 11 miles, or roughly 20 minutes via NC-133 South (Castle Hayne Road) to N. 23rd Street. We are at 1301 Physicians Dr in Wilmington, with parking at the door.
Do you see patients from Castle Hayne?
Regularly. Castle Hayne is part of our core service area in New Hanover County, and early morning appointments starting at 8:00 so a cleaning does not cost you a shift.
What are your hours?
Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday, 8:00am to 12:00pm. Outside those hours, leave a message or use the appointment request form and we will come back to you with the first available time.
Sedation Dentistry · Castle Hayne, NC
Nobody here is going to make you feel bad about it.
A large share of our new patients start the conversation by apologizing for how long it has been. It is the most ordinary thing we hear.
- Nitrous, oral and IV sedation options
- Members of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology
- You can stop the appointment at any point
- We explain before we do, every time
Embarrassed about the state of things? We have seen it. We are interested in the plan forward.
Request an appointment
We reply the next business day.
Please do not include Protected Health Information. For anything urgent, call (910) 762-0958.
