- Maria Rhode, D.M.D.
- Vivien Mesina, D.M.D.
- Sara Siddiqui, D.M.D.
- Jared Levin, D.D.S.
Sedation Dentistry
If fear of the dentist has kept you from getting care, or you are facing a longer procedure like dental implants, sedation dentistry at Imagine Advanced Dental Arts lets you relax, or sleep, through treatment. We offer nitrous oxide, conscious sedation, and IV sedation in our Lawrenceville, NJ office, and we start every injection with topical numbing so even a routine visit is as comfortable as possible.
Who Sedation Dentistry Helps
- Patients with dental anxiety or a past bad experience who have been putting off care
- Anyone having dental implants, All-on-4 full-arch surgery, bone grafting, or multiple extractions
- People with a strong gag reflex, trouble getting numb, or very sensitive teeth
- Patients who want several treatments completed in one longer, relaxed visit
- Children who need more than a gentle chairside manner to get through a filling
Your Sedation Options
Topical numbing and gentle local anesthesia
Every injection at Imagine Advanced Dental Arts starts with a topical numbing gel, so the local anesthetic that numbs the tooth is often pain-free. For many routine visits this is all the comfort care a patient needs.
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
A mild sedative breathed through a small nose mask. You stay awake and able to respond, feel relaxed and a little floaty, and the effect wears off within minutes of the mask coming off - most patients drive themselves home.
Conscious sedation
A prescribed sedative taken shortly before your appointment takes the edge off dental anxiety so you arrive calm and stay deeply relaxed through treatment. You remain conscious and breathing on your own, but will need someone to drive you home.
IV sedation
For longer or more involved procedures - dental implants, All-on-4 full-arch surgery, bone grafting, multiple extractions - IV sedation lets you sleep through part or all of the visit and remember little of it. You are monitored throughout and must have an escort home.
What to Expect
Sedation starts with a conversation. We review your medical history and current medications, talk through what is making you anxious, and recommend the lightest level of sedation that will keep you comfortable for the procedure planned. If you take conscious or IV sedation you will receive fasting instructions and will need a responsible adult to bring you home. During treatment you are monitored the entire time, and afterward most patients describe the visit as far shorter and easier than they expected.
Sedation is most often paired with dental implants and All-on-4 surgery, where it lets Dr. Maria Rhode complete placement, grafting, and temporary teeth in a single relaxed appointment. The sedation fee depends on the type and length of sedation and is always included in your written estimate; insurance and financing details are on our New Patients page.
Comfortable Care in Any Language
Understanding what is happening is half of feeling safe in the chair. Our team speaks English, Spanish, Russian, French, and Portuguese, and we will walk you through every step before it happens. To talk about sedation for your next visit, contact Imagine Advanced Dental Arts or call 609-896-0589.
FAQs
+What sedation options does Imagine Advanced Dental Arts offer?
At Imagine Advanced Dental Arts we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas), conscious sedation taken before your visit, and IV sedation for longer procedures, in addition to topical numbing gel before every local anesthetic injection.
+Is sedation dentistry safe?
Yes. At Imagine Advanced Dental Arts we review your full medical history and medications first, match the level of sedation to you and the procedure, and monitor you throughout treatment. Nitrous oxide in particular has one of the longest safety records of any sedative used in dentistry.
+Will I be asleep during IV sedation?
With IV sedation at Imagine Advanced Dental Arts you will be in a deeply relaxed, sleep-like state and will often not remember the procedure, but you continue to breathe on your own and can respond if asked. This is different from general anesthesia in a hospital setting.
+Which procedures are done with sedation?
At Imagine Advanced Dental Arts sedation is most often used for dental implant placement, All-on-4 full-arch surgery, bone grafting and sinus lifts, wisdom tooth and other extractions, and longer cosmetic or restorative appointments - and for any patient whose anxiety keeps them from getting care.
+Can I drive myself home after sedation?
After nitrous oxide, yes - it clears your system within minutes. After conscious sedation or IV sedation at Imagine Advanced Dental Arts you must have a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day.
+Do I need to stop eating before sedation?
For conscious sedation and IV sedation, yes - at Imagine Advanced Dental Arts we give you specific fasting instructions when we schedule the appointment, usually no food or drink for several hours beforehand. No fasting is needed for nitrous oxide.
+I have a strong gag reflex or dental anxiety - will sedation help?
Very often. Nitrous oxide and conscious sedation both calm the gag reflex and the anticipation that makes visits hard. At Imagine Advanced Dental Arts many patients who avoided the dentist for years complete their treatment comfortably once sedation is part of the plan.
+Is sedation covered by insurance, and what does it cost?
Coverage varies by plan and procedure. At Imagine Advanced Dental Arts the sedation fee depends on the type and length of sedation, it is always listed in your written estimate before treatment, and financing through CareCredit is available.
+Can children be sedated for dental work?
Nitrous oxide is commonly used for children at Imagine Advanced Dental Arts and is very well tolerated. For a child who needs more than nitrous, we discuss the safest option with the family or refer to a pediatric specialist.
+How do I schedule a sedation appointment?
Call Imagine Advanced Dental Arts or book online and mention that you are interested in sedation - we will schedule a consultation to review your health history, choose the right option, and give you pre-appointment instructions.
Ready to stop dreading the dentist?
Tell us what makes visits hard for you and we will plan the sedation option that fits - call or book online.