Sedation dentistry uses medication to help you feel calm during dental treatment. At Redondo Beach Dental Group we offer three levels: laughing gas, oral sedation and IV sedation. Which one fits depends on how anxious you feel, how long the visit is and your health history. Our office on Artesia Boulevard is a short drive from Torrance, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
If fear is what keeps you away, you are in large company. In a 2025 study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, 72.6% of U.S. adults said they were afraid of going to the dentist, and more than a quarter described that fear as severe. Call (310) 542-6988 to talk through your options before you book anything.
The Three Levels of Sedation We Offer
Sedation calms you. It does not numb the tooth, so you will still get local anesthetic for any treatment that needs it. The difference between the three levels is how deeply relaxed you become and what the rest of your day looks like.
Laughing gas (nitrous oxide)
You breathe a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a small mask over your nose. Within a few minutes most people feel light and unbothered, while staying awake and able to answer questions. When treatment ends, breathing pure oxygen for a few minutes clears the gas, and the effect fades quickly. Most patients can drive themselves home and go back to work the same day.
Oral sedation
You take a prescribed pill before your appointment, at the time we give you. You stay conscious and can respond, but you will feel very relaxed and may doze. Many people remember little of the visit afterward. You will need an adult to drive you to and from the office, and you should plan on resting for the remainder of the day.
IV sedation
The medication goes in through a small line in your arm or hand, so it works quickly and the level can be adjusted during treatment. It is the deepest of the three. You will likely remember very little, and you will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for a while. IV sedation is often the choice for long visits, such as dental implant surgery or several procedures done in one sitting.
Is this “sleep dentistry”?
Sleep dentistry is a common name for sedation, but with laughing gas, oral sedation and IV sedation you are not fully unconscious. You may feel drowsy enough to doze, and you can still breathe on your own and respond when spoken to. General anesthesia, where you are completely unconscious, is a separate level that requires additional permits. If you are hoping to sleep through treatment, tell us at your consultation and we will explain which option fits.
Who Sedation Helps
Anxiety is the most common reason, but it is not the only one. Sedation can help if you:
- Have avoided the dentist for years and now need several treatments
- Have a strong gag reflex that makes impressions or cleanings difficult
- Find it hard to get fully numb with local anesthetic
- Have trouble sitting still or keeping your mouth open for long periods
- Want to finish a large treatment plan, such as full-mouth reconstruction, in fewer visits
Sedation can also let your dentist complete more of a treatment plan in one appointment, so someone who needs several fillings, a crown and a cleaning may be able to finish in fewer visits than they would without it.
If you are anxious but would rather not take medication, there are other approaches to dental anxiety treatment that can make visits easier.
How Sedation Is Regulated in California
California requires a Dental Board permit or certificate before a dentist provides oral conscious sedation to adults or moderate sedation, with separate permits for sedating children. Rules that took effect in 2022 also require continuous monitoring of your oxygen level and breathing during moderate sedation. You can look up any California dentist’s license and permits on the Dental Board’s website, and you are welcome to ask us who will be providing your sedation before your visit.
Who You Will See
Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads care at Redondo Beach Dental Group. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors. At your consultation he reviews your health history with you and explains which level of sedation fits the treatment you need.
What Sedation Costs and How Insurance Handles It
The fee for sedation depends on the level and how long you are sedated, and it comes on top of the cost of the treatment itself. Ask for an estimate that includes the sedation before you book, so you know the full number in advance.
Insurance coverage varies. Many dental plans pay for sedation only with certain procedures, such as surgical extractions, and not for anxiety alone. We accept PPO plans, and you can ask us how your plan applies to sedation. For costs your plan does not cover, we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, and an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
Possible Side Effects
Most side effects of dental sedation are mild and short-lived. Depending on the level, they can include:
- Drowsiness or grogginess for the rest of the day
- Nausea, more often after oral or IV sedation
- Dry mouth or a mild headache
- Patchy memory of the appointment
Call the office if anything feels more than mild once you are home, and seek emergency care for trouble breathing.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Before your visit we review your medical history and every medication and supplement you take. Tell us if you are pregnant, have sleep apnea, or have had a reaction to anesthesia before, because these affect which option is safe for you.
For oral or IV sedation, follow these steps unless we tell you otherwise:
- Follow the eating and drinking instructions we give you exactly
- Arrange an adult to drive you both ways
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing with sleeves that roll up easily
- Do not drive, sign important documents or drink alcohol for the rest of the day
During treatment our team checks how you are doing the whole time. Afterward you rest until you are steady on your feet, and your driver takes you home. Most people feel back to normal by the next morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you awake during oral sedation?
You stay awake during oral sedation. It is a conscious sedation, so you can respond to the dentist. Most people feel very relaxed, some doze off, and many remember little of the appointment afterward.
Can you still feel pain with sedation?
Sedation lowers anxiety but does not numb the area being treated. Your dentist still uses local anesthetic, so you should feel pressure at most, not pain. Tell the team right away if anything hurts.
How much does sedation dentistry cost?
The cost of sedation dentistry depends on the level of sedation and how long it lasts, and it is added to the cost of the treatment itself. Redondo Beach Dental Group can give you an estimate that includes sedation and check what your insurance will pay.
Does insurance cover sedation dentistry?
Insurance covers sedation dentistry only in some cases. Many dental plans pay for sedation with certain procedures, such as surgical extractions, but not for anxiety alone. Ask the office to check your benefits before your visit so you know your share in advance.
What should you not do before dental sedation?
Do not eat or drink outside the instructions your dentist gives you, and do not plan to drive yourself. Avoid alcohol beforehand, and tell the dentist about every medication and supplement you take, including over-the-counter ones.
Can I drive home after laughing gas?
Most patients can drive home after laughing gas. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off within minutes once the gas is stopped. After oral or IV sedation you cannot drive and will need an adult to take you.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Sedation dentistry is considered safe for healthy patients when a trained dentist provides it with proper monitoring. California requires a Dental Board permit or certificate for adult oral sedation and moderate sedation, and continuous monitoring during moderate sedation. A full review of your health history beforehand is what decides which level is right for you.
Schedule a Sedation Consultation in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online, and let us know you are interested in sedation so we can plan the visit around it. Sedation is one of several ways we make general and family dentistry easier for nervous patients.