Sedation & Anxiety Dentistry

Dr. Scott Bonin brings 24 years of clinical dentistry to sedation and anxiety dentistry. He completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery at USC and a U.S. Navy General Practice Residency, during which he gained extensive experience using sedation in diverse patient populations. He's a member of the American Dental Association and the California Dental Association, and he trains continually at Spear Education, one of the nation's premier institutes for advanced clinical dentistry. His approach is evidence-based and patient-centered. He doesn't use sedation reflexively or oversell it. Instead, he takes the time to know you, evaluates your actual needs and anxiety level, and chooses the lightest approach (or none at all) that will let treatment proceed comfortably. This conservatism protects you and keeps the experience straightforward.

The practice uses modern monitoring equipment and follows safety protocols that meet or exceed industry standards. Every sedation patient receives a thorough pre-screening, including questions about medical history, medications, and previous reactions to sedative medications. Oxygen levels, heart rate, and blood pressure are tracked continuously throughout your appointment. Dr. Bonin maintains sedation certifications and stays current on best practices through ongoing education. The clinical environment is calm and designed to reinforce the message that this is a safe, controlled experience. Your comfort and safety during sedation are never secondary to completing treatment quickly.

Bonin Dental Care has earned 5.0-star reviews from 225+ patients, many of whom specifically mention how the practice helped them overcome dental fear. Being in Windsor with easy access from Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, and Sebastopol means less travel stress. The practice files insurance claims as a courtesy and offers patient financing options if cost is a concern. You're not just getting sedation. You're getting a dentist who takes the time to understand why you've avoided care, who respects your fear, and who personally educates you so you can make the decision that's right for you.

The cost of sedation depends on the option you choose and the complexity of the treatment being performed. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is less expensive because it requires minimal additional equipment and monitoring, and you're in the chair for a standard appointment length. Oral conscious sedation costs more because it requires additional pre-screening, closer monitoring, and longer chair time for recovery before you can leave safely. Your specific procedures, the number of teeth involved, whether extractions or complex restorations are needed, all factor into your total treatment cost. A personalized estimate will be provided at your consultation after Dr. Bonin reviews your case. Most PPO dental insurance plans cover a portion of routine dental procedures and may cover some monitoring or facility fees related to sedation, though policies vary. The practice files insurance claims as a courtesy and offers flexible patient financing options if out-of-pocket costs are a concern.

Your treatment timeline starts with a consultation, often scheduled a week or two in advance. For straightforward cases requiring one sedation appointment, treatment can often be completed in a single visit. For more complex cases requiring multiple sedated appointments, plan on spacing them 1 to 2 weeks apart to allow initial healing between procedures. Some patients prefer spacing appointments further apart for personal reasons, and that's fine. From initial consultation to final result, a comprehensive treatment plan might span 2 to 4 months depending on the scope. If you're in Sonoma County and have avoided dental care for years, that timeline might feel slow. But it's a significant acceleration compared to the months or years you may have spent avoiding the dentist. Discuss your timeline goals with Dr. Bonin at your consultation.