Sedation Dentistry FAQs

Three, from lightest to deepest: nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation (a prescribed tablet) and IV sedation (through a line into a vein). Treatment that requires full general anesthesia is performed in a hospital setting, and we refer those cases out.

Yes, when the patient is screened properly and monitored properly — those two things are what the safety record rests on. Before we sedate anyone we review their medical history, current medications, allergies and any previous reaction to anesthesia, and vital signs are monitored throughout the appointment.

Not fully. Nitrous oxide and oral sedation keep you awake and able to respond. IV sedation — the deepest option we provide in-office — is deep enough that most patients remember little or nothing, but you are still breathing on your own and can respond to us. Full general anesthesia is only performed in a hospital setting, and we refer those cases out.

You still receive local anesthetic for anything that would otherwise hurt — sedation handles anxiety and awareness, local anesthetic handles pain. The advantage of sedation is that the injection happens after you are already relaxed, and with the deeper options most patients do not remember it.

For nitrous oxide, no — you can drive yourself. For oral sedation and IV sedation, yes: a responsible adult must drive you home, and you should not drive or make important decisions for the rest of the day.

Nitrous oxide clears within minutes of the mask coming off. Oral and IV sedation leave you drowsy for the rest of the day, so plan to do nothing of consequence until the following morning.

People with dental anxiety or phobia, a strong gag reflex, difficulty getting numb, a lot of treatment to get through, trouble staying still, special needs, or a surgical treatment plan. Our candidacy guide covers both who qualifies and who may not.

Yes. Certain respiratory conditions, pregnancy, some medication combinations, and a history of adverse reactions to anesthesia can rule out sedation or point toward a particular method. That is the purpose of the health review before treatment is planned.

It depends on the method. Nitrous oxide needs only a light meal beforehand. Oral and IV sedation require fasting, a confirmed driver, comfortable clothing and a complete list of your medications. We give you written instructions specific to your appointment.

It depends on the method and how long you are sedated — nitrous oxide is the least expensive, IV sedation the most. We quote after the consultation rather than publishing a range that changes later. See cost and insurance.

Sometimes. Coverage is more likely where there is a documented medical or behavioural need, or where sedation accompanies surgical treatment. Many plans treat it as elective. We verify your specific plan before treatment. We accept all major dental insurance plans.

Nitrous oxide is very widely used with children who can breathe comfortably through the nose. Deeper sedation for a child is considered carefully and only where genuinely warranted — see sedation for special-needs patients.

Very often, yes, and it is one of the main reasons patients choose sedation. Because a sedated patient can stay comfortable in the chair for longer, treatment that would normally be spread over several appointments can frequently be combined.

We stop. You agree a signal with us before treatment begins, and it is honoured. Sedation does not take away your ability to tell us something is wrong.

With nitrous oxide, yes. With oral and IV sedation, usually only in fragments or not at all — that amnesic effect is genuinely useful for patients whose fear is built on remembered experiences.

No. Long gaps are the most common thing anxious patients apologise for and the least remarkable thing to us. We are interested in what happens next.

Call us on (313) 385-4500 or request an appointment online. The consultation is a conversation about what worries you and what you need — nothing is scheduled until you have the plan and the cost in writing.