By the team at SpringLake Dental · Medically reviewed by Dr. Harlovjeet Singh, DDS · Updated Sep 17, 2026
If you have put off the dentist for years because of fear, a bad past experience or a gag reflex that makes X-rays a struggle, sedation is the thing that changes the visit. SpringLake Dental in Woodland, CA 95776 offers all three levels — nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation — which most offices in Yolo County do not. This guide explains what each one feels like, who it suits, how safe it is, what it costs, and how to book so the sedation is planned before you arrive.
The three options, side by side
| Nitrous oxide | Oral sedation | IV sedation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it is given | Small mask over the nose | A pill about an hour before | A small line in the hand or arm |
| How it feels | Calm, light, a little floaty | Drowsy and relaxed; you may doze | Deeply relaxed; most remember little or nothing |
| Adjustable during the visit | Yes | No — the dose is set once swallowed | Yes, minute by minute |
| Wears off | Within minutes; you can drive | Several hours; need a driver | Several hours; need a driver and an adult at home |
| Best for | Mild nerves, cleanings, fillings, kids | Moderate anxiety, longer appointments | Severe fear, implants, extractions, several procedures in one visit |
Local anaesthetic is still used with all three, so the tooth itself is numb. Sedation handles the fear and the awareness; the anaesthetic handles the pain.
Nitrous oxide: the everyday option
Laughing gas takes the edge off within a few minutes and is gone by the time you stand up, which is why it works for a routine cleaning or filling and for children. You are awake and can talk. It is the right choice when the problem is nerves rather than dread.
Oral sedation: a pill before you come in
You take a prescribed tablet about an hour before the appointment and arrive already relaxed; many patients doze through the visit and remember it in fragments. It suits moderate anxiety and appointments of an hour or two. The limitation is that once the pill is taken the level cannot be adjusted, so it is less predictable than IV. You need someone to drive you both ways.
IV sedation: for the visits people avoid for years
A short-acting sedative is given through a small line and adjusted throughout the procedure, so you stay exactly as relaxed as you need to be. You breathe on your own and can respond, but most patients have little or no memory of the visit. Your heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen are monitored continuously. It is what makes dental implants, difficult extractions and full-mouth treatment in a single sitting possible for someone who could not face them otherwise. Details on our IV sedation page.
Is sedation safe?
Yes, with screening. Before any sedation visit we review your medical history and every medication you take; some conditions and drug combinations mean we choose a lighter option or adjust the plan. For IV sedation you must not eat for six hours beforehand and must have an adult drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day. Those rules are not optional; they are what make it safe.
What does sedation cost in Woodland?
Nitrous oxide is a small add-on to any appointment. Oral and IV sedation are quoted as a separate line on your written treatment plan, priced by the length of the visit, and you see the number before you agree to anything. Insurance rarely covers sedation for routine work, though some plans contribute for surgical extractions; we check yours. Most PPO plans are accepted and verified before your visit. Patients paying without insurance get 25% off any treatment, and CareCredit and Cherry financing is available at the front desk. We do not accept HMO plans or Medi-Cal.
Who asks for sedation at SpringLake
- Patients who have not seen a dentist in five or ten years and want everything fixed in as few visits as possible
- Anyone with a strong gag reflex, a fear of needles, or a bad experience as a child
- Patients having implants, wisdom teeth or several extractions
- People with conditions such as high blood pressure that anxiety makes worse in the chair
If that is you, read our guide to dental anxiety and then call. Tell the front desk you are nervous; that single sentence changes how the visit is planned.
Book a sedation consultation in Woodland, CA 95776
One visit to talk through your history, pick the right level of sedation, and get a written plan and price. Nothing is done at that visit that you do not agree to.
SpringLake Dental — Dr. Harlovjeet Singh, DDS
1837 East Gibson Road Suite #D, Woodland, CA 95776
Mon–Thu 8AM–5PM · Fri 9AM–2PM
Book online or call (530) 406-1730. Our team speaks English, Spanish, Hindi and Punjabi.
Frequently asked questions
Does SpringLake Dental offer IV sedation in Woodland?
Yes. SpringLake Dental offers nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation at 1837 East Gibson Road Suite #D, Woodland, CA 95776, with vital signs monitored throughout IV visits.
Will I be asleep with IV sedation?
You will be deeply relaxed rather than under general anaesthesia: you breathe on your own and can respond, but most patients remember little or nothing of the visit.
Can I drive after sedation?
After nitrous oxide, yes, once it wears off in the office. After oral or IV sedation, no: an adult must drive you home.
How much does sedation dentistry cost?
Nitrous is a small add-on; oral and IV sedation are quoted separately by visit length on your written plan. Cash patients receive 25% off treatment and financing is available.
Is sedation safe if I take medication or have high blood pressure?
Usually, with screening. We review your medical history and medications first and monitor you during the visit. Tell us about every condition and medication at the consultation.
SpringLake Dental — 1837 East Gibson Road Suite #D, Woodland, CA 95776. Serving Woodland, Davis, West Sacramento, Winters, Dixon, Vacaville, Knights Landing, Zamora, and Yolo County.
Dr. Harlovjeet Singh, DDS
GENERAL & EMERGENCY DENTIST — SPRINGLAKE DENTAL
Dr. Singh is an NYU College of Dentistry alumnus with specialized certifications in dental implants and sedation dentistry. He founded Spring Lake Dental with the goal of providing comfortable, unhurried dental care to families throughout Woodland and Yolo County.
Dental Emergency in Woodland, CA?
Call SpringLake Dental now. Same-week appointments available for emergency patients in Woodland, Davis, and Sacramento.
Mon–Thu 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Fri 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Related questions
How much does a dental checkup cost in Woodland without insurance?
Ask the office for its exam and X-ray fee up front. At SpringLake Dental we tell you the fee when you book, and we offer CareCredit and Cherry financing for larger treatment.
Is SpringLake Dental accepting new patients?
Yes. New patients of all ages are welcome and usually seen within the week.