1
Screening
The dentist reviews your health history, medications and what you have eaten. This decides which type of sedation is safe for you today.
Sedation available for same-day visits
Sedation Emergency Dentistry: Calm, Comfortable Same-Day Care
Fear of the dentist keeps a lot of people in pain far longer than they need to be. Sedation lets an anxious patient get an extraction, root canal or abscess treated in one calm visit.
1-855-219-4656 Can I be sedated for emergency dental treatment today?
Yes. Call 1-855-219-4656 and tell us you need sedation. We refer you to a partner dentist who offers it and has a same-day slot. Nitrous oxide is available at most partner offices and costs about $50 to $150. Oral sedation runs $150 to $300 and needs a ride home. IV sedation is offered by oral surgeons and some general dentists, and is usually arranged for the same day or the next. Insurance rarely covers sedation, but the treatment itself is billed as normal.
Needing sedation is nothing to be embarrassed about. Dentists who offer it see anxious patients every day, and they would far rather you came in relaxed than stayed home with an infection. Tell us about the anxiety when you call and we route you to an office set up for it.
When sedation makes sense for emergency care
- Anxiety or a past bad experience that has kept you away from the dentist
- A strong gag reflex that makes X-rays and back-tooth treatment difficult
- Difficulty getting numb with local anesthetic alone, often because of infection
- A long or complex procedure such as several extractions or an impacted wisdom tooth
- Children or adults with special needs who cannot sit still for treatment
Sedation is an addition to local anesthetic, not a replacement for it. You are still numbed. Sedation only changes how aware and relaxed you are while it happens. Common pairings are extraction and wisdom tooth removal.
How a sedated emergency visit works
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Sedation and monitoring
Nitrous starts within minutes through a nose mask. Oral sedation takes effect over about an hour. IV sedation is given by a trained clinician with monitors on throughout.
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Treatment and recovery
The emergency procedure is done while you are relaxed and numb. With nitrous you leave right away. With oral or IV sedation you rest until alert, then go home with your driver.
Cost of sedation for emergency dental treatment
| Type | Without insurance | With insurance (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency exam + X-ray | $100–$250 | $0–$50 |
| Nitrous oxide, per visit | $50–$150 | Usually not covered |
| Oral sedation, per visit | $150–$300 | Usually not covered |
| Simple extraction (treatment itself) | $150–$400 | $30–$150 |
| Root canal (treatment itself) | $700–$1,500 | $250–$750 |
Estimates from partner clinic fee schedules. Your dentist quotes the exact fee before treatment. National ranges from partner clinics; city pages show local figures. IV sedation is quoted by the oral surgeon and depends on the length of the procedure. Ask for the total, including sedation, when you book. The dental cost guide covers the treatment side. See the emergency dental cost guide.
Recovering after sedation
- After nitrous oxide you can drive and return to normal activity as soon as the mask comes off and you feel clear-headed.
- After oral or IV sedation, go straight home with your driver and rest. Do not drive, work machinery or sign anything for 24 hours.
- Eat something light once you are alert, and drink water. Avoid alcohol for the rest of the day.
- You may not remember much of the visit. That is expected. Ask your companion to note any aftercare instructions the dentist gave.
- Follow the aftercare for the procedure itself, such as gauze and soft foods after an extraction.
Find same-day sedation dentistry in your city
- Washington, DC
- Houston, TX
- New York, NY
- El Paso, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Sacramento, CA
- Miami, FL
- Los Angeles, CA
- All states
Related services and guides
- Emergency tooth extraction
- Wisdom tooth removal
- Emergency oral surgery
- Pediatric emergency dentist
- Emergency root canal
Related emergency guides: Severe toothache, Wisdom tooth pain, Tooth abscess.
Sedation Dentistry FAQ
Need help right now? Call 1-855-219-4656, free, 24 hours a day.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
For healthy adults and children, yes. Nitrous oxide is the mildest option and has a long safety record in dentistry. Oral and IV sedation require screening, monitoring and specific training, which is why not every office offers them.
Will I be asleep?
Not with nitrous or oral sedation. You are relaxed and drowsy but can respond. IV sedation puts most people into a deeper state where they remember little, but it is not general anesthesia.
Can I get sedation on a same-day emergency visit?
Nitrous oxide, yes, at most partner offices. Oral sedation usually works the same day if you have not eaten and have a driver. IV sedation depends on the oral surgeon's schedule and your medical screening.
How much does dental sedation cost?
Nitrous oxide is about $50 to $150 per visit and oral sedation $150 to $300. Both are usually paid out of pocket, since most dental plans do not cover sedation for anxiety.
Do I need someone to come with me?
For oral or IV sedation, yes, and they must drive you home. For nitrous oxide alone, no. You are fit to drive a few minutes after the gas is stopped.
Medically reviewed by Dr. FULL NAME, DDS. Last reviewed . Sources: ADA MouthHealthy, Anesthesia and Sedation. Editorial policy.
Need sedation dentistry today?
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