Sedation Dentistry
Expect to pay $25-$625 for sedation dentistry at a typical dental office, or $24-$165 through discount programs and dental schools.
Sedation options (nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation) help patients with dental anxiety get needed care comfortably.
Sources: CDT benchmark database, state Medicaid fee schedules, and providers’ published rates. Re-verified monthly. Nothing on this page is a quote.
Typical Price Range
$25-$625
Based on CDT code database
Discount Programs & Dental Schools
$24-$165
FTC Pricing Disclaimer: Prices shown are estimated ranges based on dental_cdt_prices database (127 CDT codes), ADA fee surveys, FAIR Health. Actual prices vary by location, dentist, and complexity. Always verify pricing before scheduling.
Detailed Price Comparison by CDT Code
Prices from 4 related CDT codes in our database.
| CDT Code | Procedure | Cash Price | Insurer Allowed* | Dental School | FQHC Range | Medicaid (CA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D9215 | Local Anesthesia | $25-$95 | $42-$68 | FairPass | FairPass | FairPass |
| D9230 | Nitrous Oxide Analgesia | $35-$130 | $58-$95 | FairPass | FairPass | FairPass |
| D9223 | Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia - Each Additional 15 Minutes | $90-$350 | $155-$245 | FairPass | FairPass | FairPass |
| D9222 | Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia - First 15 Minutes | $188-$625 | $292-$458 | FairPass | FairPass | FairPass |
*Estimated range insurers typically allow for this procedure (50th-80th percentile), modeled from published fee-survey data. Individual plan rates vary. Medicaid rates come from published state fee schedules and generally apply only to enrolled Medicaid members at participating providers.
Paying With Insurance vs. Paying Cash
Dental insurance works differently from medical insurance. Knowing how plans actually pay for sedation dentistry helps you pick the cheaper route.
If you have insurance
Insurer-allowed amount*
Your plan negotiates the fee down to the allowed amount, then typically pays 50-80% of basic work and 50% of major work, until you hit your annual maximum (usually $1,000-$2,000). You pay the rest.
If you pay cash
Negotiable cash price
Many offices discount 10-30% for payment in full at time of service, but you have to ask. Dental schools and FQHC clinics go lower. No waiting periods, no annual maximum.
Third option
Dental savings plan
Not insurance: an annual fee ($80-$200) buys access to pre-negotiated discounts of 15-40% at network dentists. No waiting periods or maximums, often the best fit for major work.
Rule of thumb: for cleanings and checkups, cash is often cheaper than carrying a plan. For a single big procedure, a plan’s $1,000-$2,000 annual maximum usually covers only part of the bill. Compare the insurer-allowed column against a negotiated cash or dental-school price before assuming insurance wins. Watch for 6-12 month waiting periods on new plans.
Dentists Who Publish Their Sedation Dentistry Prices
Real prices these providers advertise on their own websites. Publishing prices is a transparency signal. Use them as negotiation leverage even if you go elsewhere.
T. Matthew Jacks, DDS, FACS
Oral surgeryEugene, OR
Moderate IV sedation
$625 (deep sedation $800)
Summit Oral Surgery
Oral surgeryPortland, OR
IV sedation (first 15 minutes)
$405 first 15 min
Extraction and Denture Center
Oral surgeryOrlando, FL
IV moderate (twilight) sedation
$600
Prices are collected from each provider’s public website on the date shown and can change at any time. “From” prices usually exclude exams, imaging, or add-ons, so confirm the full treatment cost in writing before scheduling.
What's Included
- Pre-Sedation Evaluation
- Monitoring During Procedure
- Recovery Observation
Recovery Time
Nitrous: none. IV sedation: rest of day
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
How much does sedation dentistry cost?
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) costs $35-$130 per visit and wears off in minutes. Oral sedation (a prescribed pill) typically costs $150-$500. IV deep sedation or general anesthesia costs $188-$625 for the first 15 minutes plus $90-$350 per additional 15 minutes. Sedation is billed on top of the dental procedure itself.
I have severe dental anxiety - what are my options?
Start by telling the office when you book; practices see anxious patients daily. Options from lightest to deepest: headphones and breaks on request (free), nitrous oxide ($35-$130), oral sedation ($150-$500), and IV sedation ($300-$1,000+). Many patients find nitrous oxide is enough for cleanings and fillings, reserving deeper sedation for surgical work.
Does insurance cover dental sedation?
Dental insurance rarely covers sedation for routine procedures; it is usually considered elective comfort care. Coverage is more common for surgical extractions, patients with disabilities, or documented severe anxiety. Ask for the sedation fee in writing before your visit so it is not a surprise on the bill.
Where to Get Sedation Dentistry for Less
Dental Schools
50-70% savings at 66 accredited schools
Community Clinics
Sliding-scale fees at FQHCs
Compare All Prices
CDT codes, Medicaid, discount plans
Plain-English answer: how to negotiate a dental bill
Step-by-step playbook with JAMA 2023 success rates and IRS 501(r) charity-care rules.