- Satisfied Patient
Sedation Dentistry in
San Diego
Learn everything you need to know about sedation dentistry in San Diego—a way to overcome dental anxiety with relaxing sleep dentistry.
- Satisfied Patient
Sedation Dentistry
in San Diego
Sedation Dentistry in
San Diego
Learn everything you need to know about sedation dentistry in San Diego—a way to overcome dental anxiety with relaxing sleep dentistry.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry, otherwise know as sleep dentistry, uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. Patients can choose minimal, moderate, or deep sedation in consultation with a qualified dentist and take the oral medicine by mouth before arriving at the dentist’s office for dental treatment. Minimal sedation allows the patient to relax and respond to verbal commands while calming dental fears. Moderate sedation allows the patient to be awake and respond to verbal commands, but have little memory of the dental procedure. Deep sedation allows the patient to be conscious but have a deeper level of drowsiness during the dental treatment, and be awakened if needed.
General anesthesia is also an option for sedation dentistry to induce a state of controlled unconsciousness. Anesthesia allows patients to be asleep during dental surgery so there is no fear of pain during treatment. Many patients prefer anesthesia for longer surgeries where there is potential for perceived pain. General anesthesia is often a good choice for major dental operations.
San Diego Sedation Dentistry Cost in 2025
In 2025, the out-of-pocket cost of sedation dentistry in San Diego ranges from $200 to $700. The cost varies based on the type of sedation (oral conscious sedation vs. anesthesia), the difficulty of the dental treatment, and the dentist’s fees. Oral sedations are the most affordable option while anesthesia is more expensive.
During your smile consultation at Fifth Avenue Dental Arts, Drs. Ghassemi and Mojaver will meet with you to discuss your specific needs and smile goals. They will explain the different types of sedation available and help you understand the factors affecting the cost. This personalized consultation ensures you are fully informed about the best options for managing you dental fears and achieving your smile goals while staying within your budget.
Does Dental Insurance Sedation Dentistry?
No. Dental insurance doesn’t cover sedation dentistry considering it a non-essential dental procedure. Dental insurance providers consider sedation dentistry an elective procedure that is not medically necessary. There are rare exceptions where insurance may pay for a portion of the costs based on a medical condition or disability that makes sedation dentistry medically necessary.
We recommend carefully examining the specifics of your policy or reaching out to your dental insurance provider for clarification. Fifth Avenue Dental Arts provides flexible financing solutions to assist our patients. We encourage you to speak with our San Diego dentist practice to explore all the options available.
Meet Our San Diego Sedation Dentists
With over 20 years of combined experience in San Diego sedation dentistry, Ramin Ghassemi, DDS, MS, and Nina Mojaver, DMD, have post-doctoral training and advanced certification in sedation dentistry. Dr. Nina Mojaver earned her DMD from Tufts University and holds multiple advanced certifications in the fields of cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, craniofacial pain, and dental sleep medicine. Dr. Mojaver has also completed postdoctoral studies at Harvard School of Medicine and is currently an active alumnus at both Tufts and Harvard. Dr. Ghassemi earned his doctorate in dental surgery at the University of Brussels and his master’s in periodontology at the University of Manchester in England. With the aid of sleep dentistry and advanced dental technology, our team has expertise in resolving even the most complicated cases to address chips, cracks, gaps, tooth discoloration, small teeth, misshapen teeth, and misaligned teeth.
Oral Conscious Sedation Process
Many patients feel more comfortable having dental treatment with the aid of oral conscious sedation. The doctors at Fifth Avenue Dental Arts have advanced training and certification in sedation dentistry through organizations like the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS). Oral sedatives offer a safe way for patients to overcome dental anxiety and get necessary dental treatments without discomfort.
The path to safe and relaxing dental visits without going to sleep begins with a thorough consultation at Fifth Avenue Dental Arts. Here’s what you can expect:
Initial Consultation: During this phase, our doctors will discuss your health history and ask you about other medications or supplements you’re taking. With the necessary information in hand, our doctors will make a recommendation based on your needs for the appropriate oral sedative.
Preparation Phase: You will take medicine the night before your dental visit and again at the start of your appointment the following morning. When the medicine kicks in, you will experience a feeling of stress-free well-being and relaxation.
Treatment Phase: While you undergo dental treatment, you will be aware of your surroundings, feel calm and comfortable, and be able to communicate with your doctor.
Post-Treatment Phase: Patients receiving oral sedation will need a friend or relative for transportation following your dental treatment.
After oral conscious sedation, it is recommended that patient’s should not drive for at least 24 hours.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Yes! Sedation dentistry is safe when administered by accredited dental professionals and a great way for patients to manage anxiety and discomfort while overcoming dental fears and phobias. Oral sedatives, deep sedation and general anesthesia are regarded as low-risk for healthy individuals, with Cleveland Clinic studies showing adverse events occur in less than 1% of cases. The National Library of Medicine says “sedation and general anesthesia can be safely administered in the dental office.” The American Dental Association (ADA) says “the administration of sedation is an integral part of a dental practice.” Here are some recommended steps to ensure you’re sedation dentistry is safe:
- Confirm that your doctor is a qualified sedation dentist with advanced training in sleep dentistry
- Make sure you review your medical history with your dentist before undergoing sedation dentistry
- Share with your sedation dentist whether you have ever had negative reactions to sedation or anesthesia
- Your dentist will give you very clear instructions about your dental procedure and the sedation process
- Follow your dentist’s instructions carefully and make sure to communicate with your dentist if you come down with any sickness before your dental treatment
Patient Stories
Oral Sedation vs Anesthesia
Fifth Avenue Dental Arts offers oral sedation as well as general anesthesia. Oral sedation dentistry is more commonly used because it keeps patients conscious, making you feel calm and relaxed during your dental procedure. General anesthesia is typically reserved for more complex dental procedures and ensure patients will be unconsciousness during the procedure.
The cost of anesthesia is considerably higher than oral conscious sedation, due to the need for an anesthesiologist to administer and monitor the sleep dentistry. If patients are comfortable being awake, oral sedation is a less expensive and equally effective way to dull pain, relax and ease anxiety.
The process for anesthesia requires an empty stomach, so you will be asked to avoid eating or drinking for several hours before your dental treatment. An IV line will be placed to administer the anesthesia, and you’ll fall asleep into an anxiety-free unconscious state. Oral conscious sedation also removes anxiety but does not induce sleep, and you will still be able to communicate with your dentist. For both oral sedation and anesthesia it is important to have someone drive you home and plan to rest for the remainder of the day.
Comparing oral sedation with anesthesia, both offer the benefit of pain-free dental treatments. Oral sedation provides a less intensive solution, ideal for patients with varying lengths of treatment wishing to avoid dental anxieties. Anesthesia is best suited for patients undergoing longer and more complex dental procedures, such as jaw surgery, intensive root canals, dental implants, and cleft palate repair.
Oral sedation is preferred when a patient needs to remain conscious during dental procedures like fillings, cleanings, or minor extractions. In general, sedatives are a safe and cost-effective option for managing discomfort and anxiety, while general anesthesia is safe and prudently expensive, ideal for major dental surgeries.
Choosing between Anesthesia and oral sedation in San Diego depends on the complexity of your dental procedure, and your personal health history. Your sedation dentist will recommend oral sedation for routine dental treatments, and anesthesia for complex dental surgery. Neither option is better than the other. Fifth Avenue Dental Arts is committed to guiding our patients to the safest choice based on the dental treatment that is necessary. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions that will ease anxiety, guard your health, and help you best meet your smile aspirations.
How Long Does Sedation Last?
The effects of oral sedation and general anesthesia are temporary—between 2 and 12 hours—and it is important not to drive a car for 24 hours following your procedure.
Oral Sedation: The effects of oral sedation last between 2 and 8 hours depending on the length of your dental procedure and the accompanying strength of your medicine.
General Anesthesia: The effects of general anesthesia last for 12 to 24 hours after your dental procedure.
Other sedations: The effects of IV sedation last for 6 to 12 hours after treatment, while the effects of laughing gas wear off within minutes after your procedure.
*Fifth Avenue Dental Arts does not offer laughing gas or IV sedation.
What is Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep dentistry is the process of putting a dental patient in a controlled unconscious state during dental treatment. Sleep dentistry refers specifically to general anesthesia. Though used interchangeably with various sedation procedures that keep you conscious, like laughing gas, oral sedation, and IV sedation, sleep dentistry means the patient will be totally unconscious while the dentist is doing surgery. Put simply, sleep dentistry puts you fully asleep during your dental procedure.
At Fifth Avenue Dental Arts, the general anesthesia process starts with a consultation to review your medical history. If anesthesia is right for you, our team will give you instructions not to eat or drink the night before your dental procedure. On the day of your procedure our anesthesiologist administers your medication intravenously and the anesthesia works almost immediately to put you to sleep. Our sedation team monitors you throughout your dental surgery, and there is no pain during your procedure.
Sleep dentistry is ideal for individuals with extreme dental anxiety, special needs, or those undergoing extensive or complex dental work. It ensures your stress-free, pain-free experience by eliminating discomfort and awareness during the procedure. When you’re done you will wake up gently but not remember the experience. After observation, you’ll need a friend or family member to drive you home.
How Long Do The Side Effects From General Anesthesia Last?
The side effects of general anesthesia typically last a few hours to a day, though recovery times can vary based on the patient and the complexity of the surgery. Some common side effects include grogginess, drowsiness, or mild confusion for a few hours after waking. Less common side effects may include short-term nausea, sore throat, or muscle aches. The good news is these effects usually subside within 24 hours.
There are minor exceptions for older adults or those with preexisting health conditions who can experience fatigue or cognitive fog that lingers for up to a few days. Though the effects of general anesthesia eventually wear off, it’s important to rest, stay hydrated, and follow your dentist’s post-procedure care instructions to expedite recovery. If you have any questions about the effects of general anesthesia following your dental care at Fifth Avenue Dental Arts, call us; we’re here for you!
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Oral sedation helps you remain conscious and be in a deeply relaxed state without pain during your dental treatment. With lower levels of oral sedation, you can still be aware of some sensations, but it should not be painful.
