IV Sedation Dentistry
IV Sedation Dentistry in Tukwila, WA
Dentistry is the only surgery you are expected to be awake for. Here, you don’t have to.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Jason Lu, DDS · IV sedation provider at Smiles @ Southcenter · Last reviewed September 21, 2026
If it has been years since your last dental visit – because of one bad experience, a fear you have never been able to shake, or dread that grew a little larger every time you put it off – IV sedation exists for exactly your situation.
At Smiles @ Southcenter in Tukwila, IV sedation lets you get procedures such as fillings, crowns, extractions, wisdom teeth extractions, and even dental implant placement completed together in one comfortable appointment, usually with little or no memory of it afterward. The practice has provided IV sedation for more than 10 years and has served Tukwila and South Seattle for more than 40 years.
Call 206-575-9150 to book your sedation appointment or learn more about how sedation dentistry can make your dental appointments more comfortable.
★ 4.9 from 400+ Google reviews · Serving Tukwila for 40+ years · IV sedation for 10+ years · In-network with Delta Dental · Dental Membership Plan Available
Dental Anxiety?
How IV Sedation Can Change Your Dental Visit
IV Sedation at Smiles @ Southcenter
- IV sedation at Smiles @ Southcenter allows several dental treatments – fillings, crowns, extractions, wisdom teeth extractions, and implant placement – to be completed in a single comfortable visit instead of across multiple appointments
- Sedation medication is delivered through a vein and takes effect within minutes; patients breathe on their own and can respond, but are deeply relaxed and usually remember little or nothing
- Every IV sedation at the practice begins with nitrous oxide (laughing gas), which calms the patient, makes the IV easier to place, and, because the mask sits over the nose, keeps the patient from seeing the needle as it goes in
- Sedation is provided by Dr. Jason Lu, DDS, who completed a hospital residency focused on sedation and medically complex patients at Swedish in Seattle, where he continues to work part-time as an attending dentist
- Two sedation-trained assistants are present for every case, and heart rhythm, oxygen, exhaled carbon dioxide and blood pressure are monitored continuously
- Smiles @ Southcenter has offered IV sedation for more than 10 years, schedules it flexibly, and serves patients across Tukwila, Renton, SeaTac, Burien, Kent, and South Seattle
- Most dental insurance does not cover IV sedation; Delta Dental plans are among the exceptions, and the practice verifies benefits and provides a written estimate before treatment
Why is Sedation Standard in Medicine but Optional at the Dentist?
Largely a habit. Procedures such as colonoscopies and endoscopies are routinely performed under moderate IV sedation – the same level used in dentistry – and patients are rarely even asked whether they would rather stay awake. Dentistry is the exception: surgical work, often lengthy, is performed while the patient is awake and listening.
“Dentistry is the only medical care where we’re literally doing surgery in a patient’s mouth and patients are expected to be awake. You don’t expect to go to the hospital and get anything done without sedation – not an endoscopy, not a colonoscopy. They don’t even ask you.” – Dr. Jason Lu, DDS
You are still numbed with local anesthetic under IV sedation – that part does not change. What numbing cannot touch is everything else: the pressure, the vibration, and the sound of instruments carried through the jawbone, with your mouth held open the whole time.
“It’s so close to your mouth, which is so close to your brain. Patients hate the noise. They’re literally sensing it through their bone.” – Dr. Jason Lu, DDS
Choosing IV sedation does not mean something is wrong with you. It means choosing the standard of comfort the rest of medicine already takes for granted.
Can You Get Multiple Dental Treatments Done in One Visit?
Yes. With IV sedation at Smiles @ Southcenter, treatments that would normally require several separate appointments – fillings, crowns, extractions, wisdom teeth, root canals and dental implant placement – can often be completed together, in one comfortable visit.
For anyone who has been away from the dentist for a while, this changes everything. The exam is rarely the hardest part. The hardest part is the treatment plan that follows it: a list of work that sounds like months of appointments, each one another morning of dread. It is the story Dr. Lu hears most often – years of avoidance, problems that compound quietly, and a patient who finally arrives needing several things at once.
IV sedation turns that list into a single, planned appointment.
“I think that’s one of the most beautiful things about IV sedation — we try to do everything under one roof, all at once, and get everything done so the patient doesn’t have to come back.” – Dr. Jason Lu, DDS
Why This is Possible Here
Consolidating treatment takes two things under one roof: an established sedation program, and the ability to perform the full range of dentistry in the same chair. Smiles @ Southcenter has both, along with 3D CBCT imaging on site for planning. Where those pieces live in different offices, patients are typically referred between a general dentist, an oral surgeon, and a specialist, with separate appointments, separate sedation, and separate bills at each stop.
IV sedation also asks a great deal of a general practice: a separate state sedation permit, additional training, monitoring equipment required by law, and assistants trained to support it – which is why it is not offered at every general dental office. Smiles @ Southcenter has run its own program for more than 10 years.
Planned for Safety, Not Just Speed
How much is done in one visit is decided by what is safe for you, not simply by what is possible. For very large treatment plans, Dr. Lu may recommend dividing the work into two sedation visits rather than keeping you sedated for an unreasonable stretch. Crowns are custom-made by a dental lab, so they are placed at a short follow-up visit. For that visit Dr. Lu usually recommends laughing gas, or laughing gas with an oral sedative, rather than IV sedation – nothing needs numbing, and it saves the cost of a second IV sedation.
Why Sooner is Simpler – and Less Expensive
Dental problems do not stay the same size while they wait. A cavity that needs a filling today can need a crown and a root canal later, and an extraction and an implant after that.
“If we can fix a tooth by just doing a simple filling, why not? Why do we have to wait until it needs a crown and a root canal?” – Dr. Jason Lu, DDS
Ask how much of your treatment could be done in one visit — (206) 575-9150
What Does IV Sedation Feel Like?
Most people remember very little of it. You feel a brief pinch as the IV is placed, then a slow, drifting relaxation; many patients fall asleep, and the most common reaction on waking is surprise that it is already over.
The beginning – the part people fear – follows the same sequence every time. You settle into the chair, and nitrous oxide is started, so you are already calmer before anything else happens. The chair is reclined. Then the IV is placed in the arm or the back of the hand.
“The most uncomfortable part of IV sedation is the beginning — that little small pinch in the arm or in the hand. Once the medications start flowing in their veins, they’re in a happy place.” – Dr. Jason Lu, DDS
What follows is not a switch flipping off. Patients describe a slow drifting sensation – as though the whole body is being lifted up, or gently sinking – and eyelids that grow heavy. Many sleep through most of the appointment. You keep breathing on your own and can still respond: when Dr. Lu calls your name, there is a pause of a second or two before you answer, and that pause is the signal he waits for before treatment begins. The most common thing a sedated patient is asked to do is simply open a little wider.
Noise-cancelling headphones, weighted blankets, and pillows are available if you want them.
The next thing most people clearly remember is the end. A lot of patients tell Dr. Lu the same thing when they come round: the procedure is already over? For most, the appointment passes with little or no memory of it.
When you are ready to leave, a team member takes you out by wheelchair and stays with you until you are seated in your driver’s car.
Why Choose Smiles@Southcenter for Sedation Dentistry
Our goal is to make great oral health achievable for the entire family, and that process begins with your very first visit. It is also one of the reasons we offer our patients sedation dentistry to make your dental experience anxiety-free and pain-free.
- Time to actually be seen. A 90-minute first visit, because an hour was not enough to understand a patient properly
- Conveniently located near the Westfield Southcenter Mall in Tukwila with easy access from I-5 and I-405 if you are commuting to and from Seattle
- Trusted dentists with over 400 reviews on Google and a 4.9-star rating
- You and your family can count on getting a complete range of essential dental care services – all in one convenient location
- We make dental care affordable with our in-house dental membership program
- In-network dentists with Delta Dental
- Convenient hours that can accommodate your busy schedule
- Caring for patients for more than 40 years
- Experienced team, high-quality care, and personalized service
- You see what the dentist sees. Intraoral photos, full X-rays and 3D imaging on site, so treatment is explained, not just announced.
- Vietnamese-speaking care. Thuy Nguyen sees patients in Vietnamese as well as English.
- Comfort at every level. Laughing gas, oral sedation and IV sedation, plus headphones, weighted blankets and pillows, for routine visits as well as major work.
- Straight answers about money. In-network with Delta Dental, an in-house membership plan for everyone else, financing options, and written estimates before treatment.
Schedule your sedation dental appointment with our team to find out why we’re not your average dental office.
What are the Benefits of IV Conscious Sedation?
- Rapid Onset: Sedation effects begin quickly since the medication is administered directly into the bloodstream.
- Adjustable Levels of Sedation: The sedation level can be easily adjusted during the procedure to ensure maximum comfort.
- Reduced Anxiety: Helps patients with dental anxiety feel calm and relaxed.
- Minimal Memory: Patients often have little or no memory of the procedure, reducing post-treatment anxiety.
- Pain Management: Effectively manages pain and discomfort during dental procedures.
- Gag Reflex Control: Suppresses the gag reflex, making dental work easier for both the patient and the dentist.
- Extended Procedures: Allows for longer dental procedures to be completed in a single visit, reducing the number of appointments needed.
- Improved Cooperation: Patients are more relaxed and cooperative, facilitating smoother dental treatments.
- Customized Sedation: Dosage can be tailored to individual needs and adjusted in real-time.
- Patient Safety: Continuous monitoring of vital signs ensures patient safety throughout the procedure.
- Amnesia Effect: Reduces the psychological trauma associated with dental procedures by inducing temporary amnesia.
- Enhanced Comfort: Provides a more pleasant overall experience, especially for those with a low pain threshold.
These advantages make IV conscious sedation an excellent option for patients who need extra support during their dental visits.
Why Every IV Sedation at Smiles @ Southcenter Starts with Laughing Gas
At Smiles @ Southcenter, IV sedation always begins with nitrous oxide, before the needle comes anywhere near your arm. It is a protocol Dr. Lu brought from his training – he is not sure every sedation provider uses it – and it does three things for you at once:
- It makes the IV easier to place. Nitrous dilates the blood vessels, so the IV goes in faster and more smoothly — which matters most to the people who dread it most.
- It calms you first. Nitrous has its own anti-anxiety effect, so you are never facing the IV cold.
- It blocks your view. The nitrous mask sits over your nose and physically blocks your line of sight to your own arm.
“Because they have a huge nose piece over there, they can’t really look down at what I’m doing. So that acts as a barrier. Most patients subconsciously want to look at what you’re doing – but it’s better if they don’t.” – Dr. Jason Lu, DDS
There is a fourth benefit that matters to the clinical team: with the mask already in place, extra oxygen can be delivered instantly if it is ever needed.
Nervous about needles? Call and ask about the nitrous-first approach – (206) 575-9150
What is IV Sedation Dentistry?
IV sedation dentistry is a form of moderate conscious sedation in which sedative medication is delivered into a vein, producing deep relaxation within minutes while the patient keeps breathing independently and remains able to respond. It is also called intravenous sedation, IV conscious sedation or twilight sedation. It is not general anesthesia: there is no breathing tube and no hospital operating room.
Its main advantage over a sedative pill is control. With IV sedation, the dose is adjusted continuously throughout the appointment. With oral sedation, the dose cannot be topped up once given, so whatever the first dose achieves is all the appointment has to work with – and the same person can respond differently from one visit to the next.
Patient Testimonials
I've been going to Smiles Dental for several years, and Dr. Nguyen has consistently provided exceptional care for both my husband and me. As someone who is very anxious about dental work, I especially appreciate how gentle, patient, and compassionate she is during appointments.
Dr. Nguyen is personable and takes the time to connect with her patients. She is attentive to comfort levels, shows genuine empathy, and ensures we're properly numb when needed, which has made a huge difference in my dental experience.
The entire staff is friendly, approachable, and provides excellent customer service. I always feel welcomed and well cared for. I highly recommend Smiles Dental to anyone looking for a skilled and compassionate dental team.
Highly recommend for anyone with dental anxiety. The team was amazing, got me in right away, and went above and beyond to ensure I was as comfortable as can be - which is no small feat for someone with extreme dental anxiety. I am incredibly grateful to have found this place!
The BEST Dental office. They have the most wonderful staff no matter who you interact with. I can't stop recommending Smiles@Southcenter to all family and friends who are trying to switch out of their Dentist office or looking where to go. Your first visit unually starts with xrays and other testing, then they come up with a thorough plan on how to help you feel better and will go over your options so that you can make the best decision. They are amazing and truly professional!
Who is IV Sedation for?
IV sedation suits far more people than most assume, because you remain conscious and breathe on your own throughout. At Smiles @ Southcenter it is most often chosen by people who:
- Have dental anxiety or phobia strong enough that appointments get cancelled, or never made
- Had a frightening experience in a dental chair as a child that still shapes the decision decades later
- Fear needles, drills, or the sounds and pressure of treatment
- Have a strong gag reflex that makes routine care hard to get through
- Have trouble getting fully numb with local anesthetic alone
- Need several treatments and would rather complete them at once
- Are facing wisdom teeth removal or surgical extractions, where pressure is the real problem
- Have been away from the dentist for years and dread what an exam will find
If that last one describes you, it is the most common version of this story, not an unusual one. The most frequent problems Dr. Lu sees in patients who have been away are cavities and gum disease – both treatable, and both of which make teeth sensitive, which makes brushing uncomfortable, which quietly speeds the cycle up. The exam is there to establish what needs attention and what it will take to fix – not to judge how it got that way.
Have You Been Told You Can’t Have Sedation?
Some patients arrive at Smiles @ Southcenter after being turned down elsewhere – because of a heart condition, high blood pressure, COPD, or a medical history another office preferred not to take on. That answer is often more cautious than it needs to be.
Dr. Lu’s hospital residency centered on sedating medically complex patients, working alongside anesthesiologists on people with significant heart and lung conditions. He notes that several rules taught as absolutes in dental school do not hold in practice – including the belief that a patient with COPD cannot receive nitrous oxide. Severity matters; a diagnosis alone does not decide it.
In some cases, sedation actively helps. A patient whose blood pressure rises in the dental chair can have it brought down with sedation medication, which makes treatment safer to perform, not riskier.
Not everyone is a candidate. Someone recovering from a recent stroke or heart surgery will usually need to wait, with preventive care first. The point is that the decision is made at a consultation – with your medical history, medications, vitals, and an airway assessment reviewed in person – rather than assumed from a line on an intake form.
How is IV Sedation Kept Safe at Smiles @ Southcenter?
Every IV sedation at Smiles @ Southcenter is monitored continuously by a dedicated team member, with emergency equipment staged beside the chair and a sedation dentist trained to use it.
Three people are in the room for every case: Dr. Lu and two assistants, both trained in moderate sedation at a local hospital. One assists with treatment; the other does nothing but watch your vital signs. Four are tracked throughout, as Washington law requires:
- Heart rhythm (EKG)
- Blood oxygen level (SpO₂)
- Exhaled carbon dioxide (end-tidal CO₂) — confirming breathing is effective, not merely present
- Blood pressure
The monitor sounds as well as displays, so the team registers any change without looking away from your care, and it tracks the time since the last dose so sedation can be adjusted precisely. Because the nitrous mask is already on, extra oxygen can be given immediately.
An emergency kit – including airway equipment – is set beside the chair for every sedation appointment and checked regularly. The team runs emergency drills about twice a year so every person knows their exact role, and Dr. Lu renews his advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification every two years through the full course and exam.
Before any of that, the consultation reviews your medical conditions, every medication and supplement you take, any past reactions to sedation or anesthesia, allergies, height and weight, and whether you are or may be pregnant. Any questions about pausing or adjusting a medication before sedation is settled at the consultation together with your prescribing physician.
What are the Risks and Side Effects of IV Sedation?
IV sedation is widely used in dentistry and medicine and is considered safe for most people when they are screened carefully and monitored throughout. Like any medication, though, it carries risks — which is exactly why candidacy at Smiles @ Southcenter is decided at an in-person consultation rather than assumed.
“I want to provide IV sedation to all the patients that need it, but I don’t want to cause any harm to my patients either.” – Dr. Jason Lu, DDS
What to expect and what is weighed:
- Drowsiness for the rest of the day. Expected, and the reason for the driver and the rest-day rules. Most patients feel normal the next day.
- Little or no memory of the appointment. For most anxious patients, this is the point.
- Everyone responds differently. Recovery time varies from person to person, which is why sedation is adjusted throughout rather than fixed at the start.
- Time under sedation matters. Shorter sedation carries less risk, so very large treatment plans may be divided into two visits.
- Health history shapes the plan. A recent stroke or heart surgery usually means waiting; adults over 60 clear the medication more slowly and are planned for lighter sedation; airway conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea call for a specific conversation first.
- Short-term effects some people notice. These can include tenderness or bruising where the IV was placed, and occasionally nausea.
Dr. Lu reviews the risks that apply to you specifically at the consultation, and you decide from there.
Who Provides IV Sedation at Smiles @ Southcenter in Tukwila?
IV sedation at Smiles @ Southcenter is provided by Dr. Jason Lu, DDS. He is one of three dentists at the practice, alongside Dr. Doreen Roseto, DDS and Dr. Thuy Nguyen, DDS.
Washington requires a dentist to complete at least 20 sedation cases to hold a moderate sedation permit. Dr. Lu’s hospital residency was built around sedation and medically complex patients and took him far beyond that minimum, including roughly two months rotating with an anesthesiologist on sedation, airway management and IV access. He trained at Swedish, where he continues to serve as a part-time attending — keeping him working alongside hospital anesthesia and medical teams, not only inside a dental office.
“I really want to provide that level of service — or at least the option — so patients know it’s available to them, if they choose to do so.” – Dr. Jason Lu, DDS
How to choose an IV sedation dentist
Several dental offices in and around Tukwila offer IV sedation. Whichever you consider, these are the questions worth asking — and how Smiles @ Southcenter answers each one.
| Question to ask any IV sedation dentist | How Smiles @ Southcenter answers |
|---|---|
| Does the dentist hold a Washington moderate sedation permit, and what training stands behind it? | ✔ Yes. Dr. Lu’s hospital residency focused on sedation and medically complex patients, including about two months with an anesthesiologist, and he still works part-time as an attending dentist at Swedish in Seattle. |
| Who watches my vital signs while the dentist works? | ✔ A dedicated, sedation-trained assistant whose only job is the monitor, with a second trained assistant chairside. |
| Which vital signs are monitored? | ✔ Heart rhythm (EKG), blood oxygen, exhaled carbon dioxide and blood pressure, continuously. |
| What emergency equipment is in the room, and does the team practice? | ✔ An emergency kit with airway equipment beside the chair for every case, checked regularly; team emergency drills about twice a year; ACLS renewed every two years. |
| Can all my treatment be done in the same office? | ✔ Fillings, crowns, extractions, wisdom teeth and implant placement are all performed in-house, so treatment can be combined under one sedation instead of referred out. |
| Will I get a written estimate that includes the sedation? | ✔ Yes, before anything is scheduled — sedation billed in 15-minute increments, reduced if the appointment finishes early. |
| Will they tell me if something lighter would work? | ✔ Yes. Nitrous or oral sedation is recommended whenever it is enough, and it costs less. |
If a practice cannot answer these clearly, that is worth knowing before you book.
Ask any of these questions by phone — no appointment required. Call (206) 575-9150
What Happens at Your First Visit and Sedation Consultation?
Your first appointment is an examination and a conversation, scheduled for 90 minutes. Smiles @ Southcenter moved away from the industry-standard one-hour new patient visit because an hour was not enough time to actually get to know someone. Nothing is treated that day unless you ask for it.
The visit includes a head and neck exam, full-mouth X-rays and a panoramic image, intraoral photos so you can see exactly what the dentist sees, a full gum health assessment, and 3D imaging on site if anything needs a closer look. You will also be asked about past dental experiences and how long it has been — not to judge, but because it shapes which kind of sedation will suit you. If a hygiene opening exists that day and only a routine cleaning is needed, you may be offered it before you leave.
If sedation is on the table, the consultation happens in that same visit, so you do not need an extra trip. Dr. Lu reviews your anxiety level, medical history, medications, height and weight, and assesses your airway. Then he recommends one of three levels:
Nitrous oxide |
Oral sedation + nitrous |
IV sedation |
|
| How you feel | Relaxed, fully awake | Deeply relaxed; may doze | Deeply relaxed; usually little or no memory |
| Adjustable during treatment | Yes | No — one dose only | Yes, continuously |
| Driver needed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Restrictions afterward | None — cleared before you leave the chair | Rest of the day | Rest of the day |
| Often best for | Mild nerves; routine visits | Moderate anxiety; shorter procedures | Significant fear; multiple treatments; longer or surgical procedures |
The recommendation will not always be IV sedation. For many anxious patients, nitrous or oral sedation is genuinely enough – and costs less. The goal is the right level for you, not the most intensive one.
Other alternatives
General anesthesia – being fully unconscious – is not currently offered at Smiles @ Southcenter; it is typically provided with an anesthesiologist present. For most patients, including many with significant anxiety, IV sedation delivers the comfort they are looking for. And treatment with local anesthetic alone always remains an option for anyone who prefers it.
|
IV Sedation Dentistry for Patients Across South King County
Smiles @ Southcenter is located at 15425 53rd Ave S in Tukwila, near Westfield Southcenter, with access from both I-5 and I-405. That central position puts the practice within about 15 miles of most of South King County and South Seattle.
The practice serves patients from Tukwila, Renton, SeaTac, Burien, Kent and South Seattle, and the same short drive reaches Skyway, Fairwood, White Center, Normandy Park, Des Moines, and Seattle neighborhoods such as Beacon Hill, Georgetown, Columbia City and Rainier Beach.
For a sedation patient, distance weighs differently. Because one well-planned IV sedation visit can replace three or four ordinary appointments – each with its own drive, its own time off, and its own ride home – a slightly longer trip once is usually a far smaller commitment than several short ones.
If the hardest part is making the call
For many people, the fear is not really about the dental work. It is about walking in — and what a dentist will say when they see what years away looks like.
“It’s like when you haven’t been to the gym for a really long time. The journey between your home and the door of the gym is the most difficult part. Once you’re in the chair, we’re there. We take care of our patients.” – Dr. Jason Lu, DDS
Not everyone who is nervous needs IV sedation. For many people, laughing gas is enough; for others, what helps is a longer first visit, an explanation before each step, and an agreed signal to pause. The right approach is decided together, at your pace.
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Smiles @ Southcenter
Address
15425 53rd Ave S
Tukwila, WA 98188
Phone
206-575-9150Hours of Operation
Monday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
IV Sedation at Smiles @ Southcenter : FAQs
Is IV sedation available for teenagers and older adults?
Age changes which level of sedation is appropriate, not whether sedation is available. Teenagers are generally good candidates for IV sedation. For children under about 14, Dr. Lu usually recommends oral sedation instead as a lighter approach. For adults over 60, sedation medication takes longer to clear, so he plans a deliberately lighter level of sedation and explains in advance what that will feel like. Age alone rules no one out; it shapes the plan.
Does Smiles @ Southcenter offer IV sedation to new patients?
Yes. New patients are regularly treated with IV sedation at the Tukwila office. The first step is a 90-minute exam and consultation where your treatment plan and the right level of sedation are decided together. Many sedation patients are new to the practice and have been away from dental care for years.
Can I get multiple dental treatments done in one visit with IV sedation?
Often, yes. Fillings, crowns, extractions, wisdom teeth, root canals and implant placement can frequently be combined into one IV sedation appointment at Smiles @ Southcenter, because sedation and the full range of treatment are provided in the same office. Very large plans may be divided into two sedation visits for safety.
Will I still be numbed if I have IV sedation?
Yes. Local anesthetic is still used during treatment under IV sedation at Smiles @ Southcenter. Numbing handles pain; sedation takes care of everything numbing cannot — the anxiety, the pressure, the vibration and the sound — so most patients are deeply relaxed and remember little or nothing afterward.
How long does an IV sedation appointment last?
It depends on the treatment. Each appointment is planned around the work involved, the time is reserved in advance, and sedation is billed in 15-minute increments, so you are not paying for time you do not use. Some patients complete several hours of treatment in one visit; very large plans may be split into two sessions for safety.
Does Smiles @ Southcenter offer general anesthesia?
Not currently. The practice offers nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation, which keeps you breathing on your own and deeply relaxed. General anesthesia, where you are fully unconscious, is typically provided with an anesthesiologist present. For most patients, including many with significant anxiety, IV sedation provides the comfort they are looking for.
How many appointments does IV sedation treatment take?
Usually two: a comprehensive exam and consultation, then the sedation appointment itself with the right amount of time reserved. If crowns are part of the plan, a short follow-up visit places them, usually with only laughing gas or laughing gas and an oral sedative. Call (206) 575-9150 to find the soonest available sedation appointment.
Can I have IV sedation with a heart condition, high blood pressure, or COPD?
Often, yes. Dr. Lu’s hospital residency focused on sedating medically complex patients, and conditions treated as automatic disqualifications elsewhere are assessed case by case at Smiles @ Southcenter. Patients recovering from a recent stroke or heart surgery generally need to wait. The decision is made at a consultation, not from a diagnosis alone.
Do I need a driver after IV sedation?
Yes, without exception. Effects last several hours, so you cannot drive, work or make important decisions for the rest of the day, and another adult should be with you at home. A team member takes you out by wheelchair and stays with you until you are seated in your driver’s car.
Does Delta Dental cover IV sedation?
Most dental insurance plans do not cover IV sedation, but Delta Dental plans are among the exceptions Dr. Lu has seen provide coverage. Smiles @ Southcenter is in-network with Delta Dental. Coverage varies by plan and procedure, so the practice verifies your benefits in advance and gives you a written estimate before treatment.
Is IV sedation available for a dental emergency?
Sometimes. It depends on the emergency and whether you have eaten recently, because IV sedation comes with eating and drinking instructions beforehand. If you are in pain, call (206) 575-9150 first; the team will decide what can be done the same day and whether sedation is possible at that visit or should be scheduled.
Where is Smiles @ Southcenter located and what areas does it serve?
Smiles @ Southcenter is at 15425 53rd Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98188, near Westfield Southcenter with access from I-5 and I-405. The practice serves patients from Tukwila, SeaTac, Renton, Burien, Kent and South Seattle. The office is open Monday through Thursday and has served the community for more than 40 years.
Is Smiles @ Southcenter the same as Southcenter Dental or Southcenter Modern Dentistry?
No. Smiles @ Southcenter is an independent practice at 15425 53rd Ave S in Tukwila, reachable at (206) 575-9150. It is not affiliated with other Tukwila dental offices that have similar names.