Sedation Dentistry

Three sedation options are available here, and they differ in depth. Nitrous oxide is breathed through a nose piece and wears off within minutes, so you can drive yourself home. Oral sedation is a pill taken about an hour before, and you will need a driver. IV sedation is deeper, administered and monitored by a provider who holds the California permit for it. At Pearl32 Dentistry and Wellness in Laguna Hills, we choose the option with you.

Nitrous oxide: the lightest option

Nitrous oxide is a gas breathed through a small nose piece, mixed with oxygen. It takes effect in about three to five minutes. Most people describe warmth, lightness and a sense that time is passing faster than it is.

You stay awake and can answer questions. At the end we give you pure oxygen for about five minutes and the effect clears. There is no hangover and no driver needed, so you can go back to work. It also settles a gag reflex, which makes scans and x-rays easier.

Oral sedation: a pill an hour before

Oral sedation is a prescribed tablet taken about an hour before the appointment. You will feel drowsy and detached. Many people remember little of the visit, which is often the point of choosing it. You stay able to respond to us throughout.

You need a driver both ways, and you should not work, drive or make decisions for the rest of the day. We give written instructions covering food, your regular medications and timing. Nitrous oxide can be added on the day for a deeper effect. We monitor your oxygen and pulse throughout.

IV sedation: for longer or harder appointments

IV sedation is the deepest option offered here. Medication is given through a small line in the arm or hand, which means the level can be adjusted moment to moment. Most people remember very little of the appointment afterward.

It is administered and monitored by a provider who holds the California permit for it, with continuous monitoring of oxygen, pulse, blood pressure and breathing. You will have fasting instructions beforehand, and you will need a driver and someone at home with you afterward. It suits long appointments: full arch implant work, multiple extractions, or a full plan in one sitting.

Who is each option for?

Four situations account for most sedation here. Dental anxiety strong enough that appointments get postponed for years. Long procedures, where sitting for three hours is the barrier rather than the dentistry. A gag reflex that makes ordinary work difficult. And difficulty getting numb, where anxiety and pain feed each other.

Medical factors count as well. Some people cannot sit still comfortably because of back pain or a movement disorder. Tell us what the real obstacle is. Sometimes the answer is nitrous oxide and a shorter appointment rather than the deepest option available.

What sedation will not do

Sedation will not numb your tooth. Local anesthetic still does that work, and you will still be numbed. Sedation changes how you feel about the appointment, not what the nerve senses. People are often surprised by this, so we say it early.

It also will not suit everyone. Certain medical conditions, some medications, pregnancy and a difficult airway change the plan, and sometimes the right answer is treatment in a hospital setting. We will say so rather than proceeding. And nitrous oxide alone will not carry a very anxious person through a three hour appointment.

How do we keep it safe?

Safety starts with your medical history, reviewed in full before anything is prescribed. We ask about heart and lung conditions, sleep apnea, liver and kidney function, pregnancy, alcohol use and every medication and supplement you take, including the ones you consider minor.

During treatment we monitor oxygen saturation and pulse, and for IV sedation, blood pressure and breathing continuously. Emergency medications and oxygen are kept in the office and the team practices for them. Afterward you are discharged to your driver with written instructions and a number to call during our hours, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

What does sedation cost?

Sedation is quoted with the procedure, in writing, itemized, after an examination. It is charged by the time used, so a longer appointment costs more than a short one, and we tell you the expected length beforehand.

We are in network with most major PPO plans and Delta Dental HMO. Coverage for sedation varies: nitrous oxide is often not covered, and IV sedation is sometimes covered alongside surgical procedures. We check your plan first. Third party financing is available and the practice is not the creditor, through CareCredit, Cherry, Sunbit and Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub). See financing.

Questions people ask about sedation Dentistry

Will I be unconscious?

No. All three options here leave you able to respond, which is what separates sedation from general anesthesia. With IV sedation most people remember very little afterward, and that is different from being unconscious. You will breathe on your own throughout. If a procedure genuinely requires general anesthesia, that belongs in a hospital or surgical center and we will refer you.

Can I drive myself home?

After nitrous oxide alone, yes. It clears within about five minutes of breathing pure oxygen at the end of the visit. After oral or IV sedation, no. You need a driver both directions and someone with you at home for the rest of the day. A ride share service is not acceptable as your escort after IV sedation.

Is IV sedation safe?

It has a strong safety record when the patient is screened properly and monitored throughout. Here it is administered and monitored by a provider who holds the California permit for it, with continuous monitoring of oxygen, pulse, blood pressure and breathing. Screening is the part that matters most, which is why we review your full medical history and medications first.

Can I have sedation for a cleaning?

Yes, and people do. Nitrous oxide is common for cleanings when the sounds or the sensitivity are the difficulty. Oral sedation is reasonable for someone who has avoided the dentist for years and needs a deep cleaning. We match the depth to the appointment rather than defaulting to the deepest option, and the cost follows the time used.

What do I need to do beforehand?

For nitrous oxide, eat lightly and come as normal. For oral sedation, arrange a driver and follow the written instructions on timing, food and your regular medications. For IV sedation, follow the fasting instructions exactly, bring your driver, wear short sleeves and leave contact lenses at home. Bring a current list of every medication and supplement you take.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. What is right for you can only be decided after an examination.