Dental Fear Is Real — and We Understand It
If the thought of the dentist makes your heart race, you are far from alone. Nearly one in three adults avoids dental care out of fear, and it often means small problems quietly grow into big ones.
Stillwater exists to break that cycle. We've built a practice specifically for anxious and phobic patients — calm surroundings, genuine patience, and sedation options that let you get the care you've been putting off without the fear. There's no judgment here, only relief.
- ✓Built specifically for anxious & phobic patients
- ✓Calm, quiet, spa-like surroundings
- ✓Never rushed, never judged
- ✓Sedation that fits your comfort level
Comfort in Everything We Do
Sedation is only part of it — the whole experience is designed to soothe.
We Start by Listening
Before anything else, we talk. Your fears, your history, what set them off — so we can plan around them.
You Set the Pace
Stop signals, breaks whenever you need them, and no procedure until you feel ready. You're in control.
A Soothing Environment
Warm blankets, noise-cancelling headphones, soft lighting, and calm scents — a space built to lower your pulse.
Zero Judgment
However long it's been or how nervous you are, you'll only ever be met with warmth and reassurance.
Gentle, From Start to Finish
Here's how a fear-free visit unfolds at Stillwater.
A Relaxed Chat
We meet with no procedures planned — just a conversation about your fears and the sedation options that fit.
Your Comfort Plan
Together we choose your sedation and comfort supports, and map out your care at a pace that feels safe.
Sedation & Care
On the day, we ease you into calm before we begin, then complete your treatment while you're fully relaxed.
Gentle Aftercare
We make sure you're comfortable and safe afterward, with clear guidance and a team that stays in touch.
Relaxed, Safe, and In Good Hands
Patients often ask what sedation actually feels like. With nitrous, a light, floaty calm; with oral sedation, deep relaxation while still aware; with IV sedation, most people simply drift and remember nothing, waking to find their treatment already done.
Whichever you choose, you're monitored and cared for the entire time by our trained team. There's no needle-first surprise, no loss of control — just a gentle, guided calm that finally makes dental care feel possible.
- ✓Nitrous: light, floaty, wears off fast
- ✓Oral: deeply relaxed, still aware
- ✓IV: drift off, remember nothing
- ✓Monitored and cared for throughout
From Terrified to Trusting
I hadn't seen a dentist in eleven years because of pure terror. With IV sedation at Stillwater, I had two fillings and a cleaning and remember none of it. I actually cried afterward — happy tears. They gave me my smile back.
My gag reflex and anxiety made cleanings impossible anywhere else. Here, a little sedation and a genuinely kind team made it easy. First time in my adult life I didn't dread the dentist.
They never once made me feel silly for being scared. They explained everything, went at my pace, and the sedation options meant I stayed calm the whole time. I've told everyone I know.
Calm is the word. Soft lighting, warm blankets, headphones, and a dentist who truly listens. Whatever they're doing differently, it works — I'm no longer afraid of the dentist.
The Little Things That Soothe
Soft, Dimmable Lighting
No harsh overhead glare — just calm, warm light that helps your nervous system settle the moment you sit down.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Your music or a guided calm playlist to block out the sounds that tend to trigger dental anxiety.
Warm Blankets & Pillows
Weighted blankets, neck pillows, and cozy comfort so the chair feels less clinical and more restful.
Stop Signals, Always
A simple raised hand pauses everything, instantly. You are in control of your visit from start to finish.
Dr. Hannah Wells, DMD
Dr. Wells built Stillwater after years of watching fearful patients suffer avoidable problems because dental anxiety kept them away. Certified in oral and IV sedation, she has spent thirteen years making dentistry gentle for the people who need gentleness most.
Calm, patient, and genuinely warm, she and her team treat fear as something to be understood, not overcome by force. Many patients who once couldn't sit in the chair now keep every checkup — and that, she'll tell you, is the whole point.
- ✓Certified in oral & IV sedation
- ✓13 years focused on anxious patients
- ✓Calm, patient, and genuinely warm
- ✓Turns dental dread into routine care
Sedation Questions, Answered
Is dental sedation safe?
Yes. Our sedation is administered and monitored by trained, certified staff the entire time, with your vital signs watched throughout. We review your health history carefully and choose the safest option for you.
Will I be completely asleep?
It depends on the option. Nitrous and oral sedation keep you relaxed but awake and responsive; IV sedation is deeper, and most patients remember little or nothing. We'll recommend the right level for your anxiety and treatment.
I haven't been to a dentist in years. Is that okay?
Completely okay — it's exactly who we're here for. There is zero judgment. We'll go at your pace, start gently, and rebuild your comfort one visit at a time.
Can sedation help with a strong gag reflex?
Absolutely. Sedation is one of the most effective ways to manage a sensitive gag reflex, making cleanings, X-rays, and treatment comfortable when they weren't possible before.
Will I need a ride home?
For oral and IV sedation, yes — you'll need someone to drive you. Nitrous wears off quickly, so you can usually drive yourself after a short rest. We'll tell you exactly what to expect beforehand.
Where are you located?
We're on NW Lovejoy Street in Portland's Pearl District, convenient to Nob Hill, Alberta, Hawthorne, and Lake Oswego, with calm, easy parking.
Ready to Try the Dentist Again?
Book a gentle, no-pressure visit with Stillwater Sedation Dentistry — and finally get the care you've been putting off.
Let's Take This at Your Pace
Tell us a little about your fears and what you need. We'll reach out gently to find a time and talk through your comfort options.
- Visit us1420 Northwest Lovejoy Street, Portland, OR 97209
- Call us(503) 555-0159
- Email ushello@stillwaterdental.com