Sedation Dentistry in Eastpointe, MI

Dental anxiety is really common, and it keeps a lot of people from getting care they actually need. At Lakeshore Dental Specialists, Dr. Tattan offers three levels of sedation, nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation, so we can match what you're feeling to something that genuinely works for you. Whether you're mildly nervous or the idea of a dental chair makes you want to cancel before you even book, there's an option for you.

Below, we walk through each sedation level, who it tends to work best for, and how to get ready for your appointment. One thing worth planning ahead: if you're having oral or IV sedation, you'll need someone to drive you home. The medication stays in your system for several hours, so driving yourself isn't safe even if you feel okay by the time you leave. Sort that out before the day of and it's one less thing to think about.

Call us today at (586) 238-3199 to take the first step toward a healthy, comfortable smile.

Quick Takeaways

• If you're having pill-based or IV sedation, arrange your ride home when you book your appointment. You'll also need someone to stay with you for a few hours once you're back.
• Dr. Tattan administers IV sedation right here in our Eastpointe office, so there's no outside anesthesiologist to coordinate and no extra scheduling involved.
• The right sedation level really depends on your health history, the procedure you're having, and a conversation with us beforehand so we can figure out what fits best.
• Sedation coverage varies by insurance plan. We'll look into your benefits ahead of time so you know what to expect before your appointment.

The Three Levels of Dental Sedation We Offer

The right option really comes down to two things: how anxious you feel about dental visits, and how involved the procedure will be.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

This is the lightest option, and it works well if your nerves are mild. You breathe it in through a small nose mask, it kicks in within a few minutes, and it wears off just as quickly once the mask comes off. It's a good fit for shorter appointments, and in most cases you're fine to drive yourself home after.

Oral Conscious Sedation

This one goes a step deeper. You take a pill before your appointment, and by the time you're in the chair you'll feel very relaxed, awake but not bothered by much. It's a good choice if you have more significant anxiety, a sensitive gag reflex, or a longer visit coming up, like having several teeth removed at once. Because the medication stays in your system for several hours, you'll need someone to drive you home.

IV Sedation

This is the deepest level of sedation we offer. The medication is given through a small IV line, which means it works quickly and can be adjusted as the procedure goes on. It's typically used for more involved oral surgery, significant dental anxiety, or complex cases where we want steady, consistent comfort throughout. Dr. Tattan administers it here in our Eastpointe office, with the specialized training that requires. You'll need both a driver and someone to stay with you for a few hours afterward.

Why Sedation Is Worth Considering

Sedation isn't a luxury add-on. For a lot of people, it's what finally makes it possible to get care they've been putting off for months or even years.

• You stop avoiding the appointment. If anxiety has been the reason you keep rescheduling, sedation takes that off the table. The procedure happens, and you get to move on.
• Longer appointments feel much more manageable. Procedures that would feel like a lot to sit through in one go, like full-arch implant treatment, become something most patients handle just fine with the right level of sedation.
• Time passes more easily. Sedation keeps your nervous system calm and your body relaxed throughout the procedure, so the experience doesn't feel drawn out the way it might otherwise. A two-hour appointment simply doesn't feel like two hours when your mind and body aren't on high alert the whole time.
• You may be able to combine visits. If you've been dreading multiple appointments, sedation sometimes makes it possible to take care of more in a single visit. That's worth a lot when you're trying to fit oral surgery or other treatment around a busy schedule.

Who Sedation Is Right For

Sedation is a good fit if anxiety has been keeping you from making the appointment, if you have a strong gag reflex, if you're having oral surgery or a longer multi-step procedure, or if a bad experience in the past has made the dental chair genuinely hard to sit in. It can also help patients with certain health conditions get through treatment more comfortably and with closer monitoring.

That said, it's not the right call for everyone. Some medications, respiratory conditions, pregnancy, and certain health histories affect what's safe to use, so deeper sedation isn't always the best option. If your nerves are on the milder side, nitrous oxide or just a slower, more communicative appointment might be all you need. We figure out the right level together once we know your health history, what procedure you're having, and how you're feeling about it.

Sedation Dentistry Costs, Insurance, and Payment Options

What you pay for sedation depends on which level you have and how long the procedure takes. Nitrous is the most affordable option. IV sedation costs more because it takes longer to administer, requires continuous monitoring, and involves more resources overall. Since the cost is tied to the treatment you're having, we walk through the full picture with you before your appointment rather than throwing out a number that might not be accurate.

Insurance coverage for sedation really depends on your plan and what procedure it's paired with. Coverage is more likely when sedation goes alongside a surgical procedure, like a wisdom tooth extraction or implant placement. We can check your benefits ahead of time so you're not guessing. We're also in-network with most Federal Employee Dental PPO plans, so if you're a federal employee, retiree, or covered family member, it's worth asking us how sedation fits your coverage.

For questions about financing, you can reach our billing line directly at (586) 496-7424.

Why Patients Choose Lakeshore for Dental Sedation

Most dental offices that offer IV sedation have to bring in an outside anesthesiologist, which means coordinating two separate schedules and adding cost. At Lakeshore Dental Specialists, Dr. Tattan administers IV sedation himself, right here in our Eastpointe office. That is a meaningful difference, and it is not the only one.

• IV Sedation Is Administered In-House. Dr. Tattan holds the specialized training required to administer IV sedation directly, so there is no outside anesthesiologist, no extra coordination, and no added scheduling friction for you.
• Five Specialties Under One Roof. Board-certified specialists in implants, oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, and orthodontics all work together in the same office, so your care stays coordinated from start to finish.
• Credentialed Surgeons on Your Team. Dr. Weiner is board certified in periodontics and dental implants, and Dr. Calhoun is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with a PhD in oral biology from UCLA. When sedation is part of a surgical procedure, the people managing your comfort and performing your treatment are working from the same plan.
• Voted Best of 2026 by Macomb County Readers. That recognition reflects what patients consistently say about their experience here, especially those who came in nervous and left relieved.

If you have been putting off a procedure because of anxiety or uncertainty about sedation, this is a good place to start.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry

Do I Really Need Someone to Drive Me Home?

For oral conscious and IV sedation, yes. It's a hard safety rule, not a suggestion. Sedation affects your coordination and reaction time for several hours, even if you feel fine by the time you leave. A licensed rideshare driver is fine for the ride home. The one thing that's not an option is driving yourself.

Will I Be Unconscious With IV Sedation?

No. IV sedation isn't the same as being put fully under in a hospital. You'll be deeply relaxed and in a semi-conscious state, calm, comfortable, and able to respond if someone speaks to you. Most patients remember very little of the appointment, but you're not completely asleep the way you would be under general anesthesia.

How Do I Know Which Sedation Level Is Right for Me?

We figure it out together before anything is scheduled. We'll go through your health history and medications, ask about past dental visits and what tends to set off the anxiety, and look at how long the procedure is likely to take. A short visit and a two-hour surgical appointment call for different levels, even for the same person. If lighter sedation or just a slower, more communicative appointment would do the job, we'll say so.

Can I Eat or Drink Before My Sedation Appointment?

It depends on the type. Nitrous oxide usually has fewer restrictions. Oral and IV sedation typically require you to fast for a set number of hours beforehand. We'll give you the specific instructions when we schedule your appointment.

Is Sedation Safe if I Take Medication or Have a Health Condition?

Usually yes, but it does affect the plan. Things like blood thinners, sleep apnea, respiratory conditions, pregnancy, and certain prescriptions all factor into which level is appropriate and how closely you're monitored. Just bring a complete list of everything you take, and we'll build the plan around your situation.

When You're Ready, Let's Make a Plan

If you've been looking into sedation, there's a good chance you already know what procedure you need. You just haven't been able to get yourself to book it yet. Give us a call and we'll walk through your options together. We'll tell you honestly which level makes sense for whatever you're having done, whether that's dental implant surgery, a graft, or oral surgery, and help you figure out the practical stuff too, including the ride home.

Reach Dr. Tattan and the team at Lakeshore Dental Specialists in Eastpointe at (586) 238-3199. We're in the office Tuesday through Friday, with early morning and later afternoon appointments depending on the day.