What sedation options do you offer?

Smile LA Downtown Modern Dentistry offers three: nitrous oxide, which is inhaled and wears off within minutes; oral sedation, a tablet taken before the appointment; and IV sedation, the deepest option, used for longer surgical appointments and significant dental anxiety.

Can I be sedated for a cleaning?

Nitrous oxide suits ordinary treatment where the barrier is nerves rather than length, such as a cleaning you have been putting off or a first visit after a long gap. It wears off within minutes, so you can drive yourself home.

With nitrous oxide you stay awake and able to talk throughout. With oral sedation you stay relaxed and responsive, although most patients remember very little of the visit afterwards. Which option suits you is decided with you before the appointment.

Can I drive myself home?

After nitrous oxide, yes. After oral sedation or IV sedation, no: you will need someone to take you home, so arrange that before the day.

It has been years since I saw a dentist. Is that a problem?

No. A first visit after a long gap is a common reason people ask about sedation, and the appointment can be planned around how you feel. The New Patients page explains what happens at the first visit.

Comfort

Dental Care for Anxious Patients in Downtown LA

If the dentist makes you nervous, the visit can be planned around that.

Anxiety about the dentist is common, and it is worth saying so when you book. At Smile LA Downtown Modern Dentistry it changes how your appointment is scheduled, not just what is offered when you arrive, and three levels of sedation are available: nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation.

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Patient resting in a dental chair under IV sedation

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Tell us when you book

The single most useful thing you can do is mention your anxiety before the appointment rather than on the day. It lets the visit be planned around you: how long it runs, what happens first, and whether sedation makes sense. Tell the team about any medication you take as well, because sedation of any depth is planned around your medical history rather than chosen off a menu.

Three options

Sedation, from lightest to deepest

Nitrous oxide

Breathed through a small mask over the nose. You stay awake and able to talk, it wears off within minutes, and you can drive yourself home. It suits ordinary treatment where the barrier is nerves, such as a filling or a cleaning you have been putting off. More on nitrous oxide.
Oral sedation

A tablet taken before the appointment. You stay relaxed and responsive, most patients remember very little of the visit, and you will need someone to drive you home. More on oral sedation.
IV sedation

The deepest of the three, given intravenously so the depth can be adjusted during the appointment. It is used for longer surgical appointments and for significant dental anxiety, and you will need someone to take you home. More on IV sedation.

If it has been years since your last visit

You would not be the first. For some patients the realistic alternative to sedation is not a more stressful appointment but no appointment at all, and the treatment that gets put off longest tends to be the treatment that has become extensive. A first visit after a long gap is exactly the kind of appointment that can be planned around how you feel. Our New Patients page explains what happens at the first visit, what to bring, and how insurance and payment work.

Longer treatment

Some treatment takes longer, and staying comfortable for the whole appointment is part of it going well. IV sedation most often accompanies dental implants, bone grafts, sinus lifts, wisdom tooth extractions and full mouth reconstruction.

The corridor between operatories, looking past the front desk

The short answer

Smile LA Downtown Modern Dentistry plans appointments around dental anxiety when you mention it at booking, and offers three levels of sedation: nitrous oxide, which wears off within minutes so you can drive home; oral sedation, a tablet taken beforehand; and IV sedation, the deepest option, for longer surgical appointments and significant anxiety. Sedation is planned around your medical history.

Dental Anxiety FAQ

I am anxious about the dentist. What should I do first?: Mention it when you book. Anxiety about the dentist is common, and knowing in advance changes how the visit is scheduled, not just what is offered when you arrive. Tell the team about any medication you take as well, because sedation is planned around your medical history.
What sedation options do you offer?: Smile LA Downtown Modern Dentistry offers three: nitrous oxide, which is inhaled and wears off within minutes; oral sedation, a tablet taken before the appointment; and IV sedation, the deepest option, used for longer surgical appointments and significant dental anxiety.
Can I be sedated for a cleaning?: Nitrous oxide suits ordinary treatment where the barrier is nerves rather than length, such as a cleaning you have been putting off or a first visit after a long gap. It wears off within minutes, so you can drive yourself home.
Will I be awake?: With nitrous oxide you stay awake and able to talk throughout. With oral sedation you stay relaxed and responsive, although most patients remember very little of the visit afterwards. Which option suits you is decided with you before the appointment.
Can I drive myself home?: After nitrous oxide, yes. After oral sedation or IV sedation, no: you will need someone to take you home, so arrange that before the day.
It has been years since I saw a dentist. Is that a problem?: No. A first visit after a long gap is a common reason people ask about sedation, and the appointment can be planned around how you feel. The New Patients page explains what happens at the first visit.