Dental sedation is the use of medications to help patients relax, feel calm, or even sleep during dental procedures. Depending on the type of sedation used, the experience may range from simply reducing anxiety while still being awake, to achieving a deeper level of relaxation where patients may have little or no memory of the procedure. Methods include nitrous oxide inhalation, oral medication, intravenous (IV) sedation, and general anesthesia. Generally speaking, our office performs general anesthesia. The goal of dental sedation is to provide a more comfortable and stress-free dental experience, especially for patients who have anxiety, need extensive dental work, or have difficulty tolerating traditional procedures.

Sedation dentistry offers several important benefits. For patients who experience fear or anxiety at the dentist, sedation provides a sense of calm and reassurance, allowing them to undergo needed care without stress. It also makes it possible for dentists to complete multiple or complex treatments in a single visit, which reduces the number of appointments. Sedation suppresses the gag reflex, which is particularly helpful for patients who struggle with impressions or dental instruments. Many patients report that treatment feels faster and more comfortable. Office-based sedation dentistry also provides personalized care, with anesthesiologists directly available before and after procedures. Office-based treatment is often more convenient and less time consuming compared to anesthesia given in a hospital or surgical center.

A wide variety of patients can benefit from sedation. This includes individuals with dental anxiety, phobias, or difficulty sitting still for long procedures. Patients who have a sensitive gag reflex, low tolerance for pain, or resistance to local anesthetics may also benefit. Sedation is especially helpful for those requiring extensive restorative or surgical procedures, as it allows for more work to be completed in fewer appointments. Pediatric patients, special-needs individuals, and patients with medical conditions that complicate traditional dental treatment are also common candidates.

Yes, when administered by qualified and properly trained professionals, sedation dentistry is considered safe. Our anesthesia providers conduct a detailed pre-assessment to evaluate each patient’s medical history and overall health to ensure they are appropriate candidates. During the procedure, patients are closely monitored using hospital grade equipment that tracks vital signs such as oxygen levels, heart rate, and blood pressure. Providers are trained to respond quickly to any changes, making office-based sedation both effective and reliable. Safety is our top priority, and protocols are in place to ensure the best outcomes for every patient.

If your dentist recommends sedation for you or your child’s dental procedure, their office will notify us so we can begin the process. We will email you the necessary paperwork and information, and you will also receive a phone call confirming receipt and giving you the opportunity to ask questions. The anesthesiologist will review the medical history once your completed paperwork and deposit are submitted. If cleared, we will inform your dentist that the procedure is ready to be scheduled, and their office will contact you directly to confirm the date and time.

The anesthesiologist will call you one to two days prior to review the details of the procedure, answer any questions, and provide reminders. One critical reminder is that no food or drink is allowed on the day of the procedure. If you or your child eat or drink that day, the procedure will be canceled, and the deposit will be forfeited. If rescheduled, a new deposit will be required. You can view the pre- and post-procedure rule at https://www.csamdllc.com/s/npo.pdf.

Once the patient wakes up, you will remain in the office for a short observation period until discharge is approved. At that point, eating and drinking may resume. Should any urgent concerns arise, you must contact the dental office immediately.

Because offices can be cool and children are required to remove socks during the procedure, we recommend bringing a comforting blanket. You are also welcome to bring snacks and water, which can be enjoyed after the procedure is complete.

Once we receive and review your paperwork, we notify your dentist’s office that you are ready to be scheduled. Their office will then contact you with a confirmed date and time for the procedure. Many of the offices we work with have dedicated monthly sedation dates. Sedation dates are on a first come first serve basis. Therefore, the sooner you complete all your paperwork the sooner we can get you onto a sedation date.

Every patient’s needs are unique, but your dentist will provide an estimated procedure length, which is generally very accurate. They will also let you know what time you should arrive at the office.

One parent may bring the child into the operating room. Once your child is asleep, you must leave the room while the dental work is performed. You will be brought back in before your child is fully awake.

As part of the intake process, you will complete a medical history form. The anesthesiologist will review it carefully and contact you directly with any questions. If necessary, medical clearance from your primary care physician/specialist may be required before proceeding.

Any special instructions related to medical conditions, such as diabetes, will be discussed directly with the anesthesiologist once your forms are reviewed.

We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please inform your dentist’s office as early as possible, and they will notify us. If you reschedule, your deposit will be applied to the new appointment. If you cancel, fail to show up, or arrive unprepared—for example, if the patient has consumed food/drink on the day of the procedure—the deposit will be forfeited.

We do not accept insurance and are considered non-participating/out-of-network with all medical insurance providers. We do not contact insurance companies on your behalf pre- or post-procedure. However, once your procedure is complete, we will provide you with a superbill that includes all relevant diagnoses and procedure codes. You may submit this to your medical insurance for possible reimbursement. To help plan ahead, you may use our cost estimator (https://www.csamdllc.com/codes), which allows you to see an estimated balance and request a sample superbill to share with your insurance company when inquiring about reimbursement rates.

We provide a cost estimator tool to help you understand the financial responsibility (https://www.csamdllc.com/codes). All procedures are subject to a one-hour minimum. By adjusting the estimator to reflect the time estimated by your dentist, you will be able to see an approximate cost. You may also contact your insurance provider with the procedure codes to learn more about their reimbursement policies. Office-based sedation is typically less expensive than hospital anesthesia, since it avoids additional hospital and facility fees. While sedation does represent an added cost, many patients find the comfort, convenience, and ability to complete necessary treatment well worth the investment.

We recognize that sedation services are an elective but significant expense. To help, we accept CareCredit, which does allow you to choose a 6-month plan with zero interest if paid in full, a 24-month plan with a reduced APR, and a 36-month plan with a reduced APR. You can apply for CareCredit and learn more at https://www.carecredit.com/go/284ntp.

We accept all major credit cards and cash, as well as CareCredit.