A hand holding white sedation pills being poured from a brown glass bottle.
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Quality Treatment

Hometown Dental Co is an experienced provider of sedation dentistry. 

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Consultation

If you get anxious or stressed out when going to the dentist, contact us for a free assessment.

Have a Relaxing Dental Experience

At Hometown Dental, we understand that dental anxiety and fear can make dental visits stressful for some patients. Our team of experienced dentists and caring staff is committed to providing you with a positive and anxiety-free dental experience. If you feel anxiety at the thought of sitting in the dentist’s chair, sedation dentistry can help! Most forms of sedation used in dentistry will allow you to remain conscious but relaxed, helping to ease the tension of undergoing dental procedures.

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation involves taking prescribed medication in the form of a pill or liquid before your dental appointment. The medication induces a state of deep relaxation, and while you may still be conscious, you are likely to have little memory of the procedure afterward.

Oral sedation allows you to achieve a deeply relaxed state, reducing anxiety and promoting a more comfortable dental experience. The medication can be taken prior to your appointment, saving time on in-office procedures. Oral sedation is particularly useful for more extended treatments, as it helps you remain calm and comfortable throughout the process.

Benefits of Sedation

Sedation dentistry offers several benefits:

  • It allows you to complete dental work in fewer visits.
  • It helps alleviate anxiety and leaves you relaxed after your procedure.
  • It can keep you from remembering the sounds and smells often associated with dental anxiety.

Who Can Benefit from Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry can be beneficial for those who: 

  • Experience Dental Anxiety or Fear: If you feel anxious or fearful about dental visits, sedation dentistry can help you relax and overcome your dental apprehensions.
  • Have a Sensitive Gag Reflex: Some patients have a sensitive gag reflex, making dental procedures uncomfortable. Sedation can ease this sensitivity and enable a smoother experience.
  • Require Extensive Dental Work: For patients undergoing complex or multiple dental procedures, sedation dentistry ensures enhanced comfort and cooperation during lengthy treatments.
  • Have Special Needs or Medical Conditions: Patients with special needs or certain medical conditions may find sedation dentistry a beneficial option to receive necessary dental care with ease.
  • Have Difficulty Sitting Still: Sedation dentistry can assist patients who struggle to sit still for extended periods, allowing the dentist to complete treatments more efficiently.
  • A woman wearing an eye mask reclining in a dental chair in a clinical setting.

    What can I expect from oral conscious sedation?

    Generally, you will be given a prescription for a pill to take before your appointment. Since this is a sedative medication, you will need a companion to drive you to the appointment. Once you arrive, Dr. Knuth and his staff will begin monitoring your vital signs, including heart rate and blood pressure, to make sure that you stay completely safe through the procedure. He will then assess your level of sedation, and ask how you feel.

    In some circumstances, the Doctor may use more medication, but often this is not necessary. The dentistry will all be performed while you are relaxed and comfortable. When it is safe for you to move about, your companion will take you home, and then you will rest comfortably for the rest of the day.

    Is oral conscious sedation safe?

    While all methods of sedation are very safe, oral sedation is especially safe as well as very effective. Our Doctors use very common medications that are extremely safe and widely prescribed. Your vital signs will be constantly monitored from the moment you arrive at the office, throughout the entire appointment, and until the Doctor is certain you are ready to leave.

    Dr. Knuth and Dr. Funke have taken extensive training with DOCS (Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation) to ensure that you are completely safe and comfortable. In fact, our Doctors and our whole dental team are highly trained in safety and emergency procedures, making the dentist’s office one of the safest places you can be!

    Experience the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry at Hometown Dental

    Our dedicated team is committed to ensuring your dental visit is as comfortable and stress-free as possible. If dental anxiety has been preventing you from seeking essential dental care, sedation dentistry might be the solution you need. Contact us today to learn more about our sedation dentistry options and how we can tailor the right approach to meet your individual needs. Let us help you achieve a healthier and more beautiful smile without unnecessary stress or fear.

    Meet THE DENTISTS

    DR. DENNIS KNUTH

    DR. DENNIS KNUTH

    PARTNER

    Dr. Knuth is proud to care for patients right here in the community he calls home. He and his team at Hometown Dental combine continuing education with the latest technology to make sure every patient and family receives top-quality care in a comfortable, welcoming setting.

    Passionate about dentistry based on a simple philosophy, Dr. Knuth treats every patient as he would a close friend or family member—always striving to deliver the level of care each person deserves.

    A graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Dr. Knuth feels fortunate to have learned from some of the best mentors in the field. Before becoming a dentist, he earned a degree in electrical engineering and spent six years working in the electronics industry in Cincinnati. That background gave him a strong appreciation for technology and precision, which now plays a big role in how he approaches dental care.

    Dr. Knuth lives in Greencastle with Emily (Jones) and their three children.  When Dr. Knuth isn’t with patients, you might find him riding his bicycle or on his Peloton trainer. Dr. Knuth also loves traveling and exploring new places with his family and friends. Some of Dr. Knuth’s favorite things are Bruce Springsteen, peanut M&Ms, cherry pie and yoga.

    DR. TESS FUNKE

    DR. TESS FUNKE

    PARTNER

    Dr. Funke loves getting to know her patients and chatting with them when they come in for visits. Its important to her to provide care for all patients, no matter where they are in their oral health journey.
    While she enjoys many aspects of dentistry, Dr. Funke is excited to educate patients about dental implants and the ways they benefit oral health as Hometown Dental grows to offer implants here in our office.

    Dr. Funke attended the University of Louisville for dental school and then completed a one year advanced training program in Arkansas. She's been transforming smiles with the Hometown Dental team since 2019.

    When Dr. Funke isn’t with patients, you will find her spending time with her husband, Adam and their young son, Victor. Whether they are out strolling their neighborhood with aussiedoodle, Nelson or trying a new restaurant, it's wonderful to experience the world through a child’s eyes. Dr. Funke enjoys Orange Theory Fitness, cuddling up with a good book and will never turn down a good chocolate chip cookie.