Goodbye, Dental Anxiety

If you’re always dreading dental visits – or even putting them off – you’ll love the stress-free, zero-anxiety experience that you get with mild dental sedation as part of our comprehensive dentistry in Urbandale, Iowa.

You stay awake and aware, but your visit feels quick and relaxing. Even better: together with our fast-acting, carefully controlled dental anesthesia, there’s no pain or lasting drowsiness — so you can get on with your day sooner.

Mild Sedation

Unlike dental anesthesia, which prevents you from feeling pain, mild oral or gas sedation makes your visits feel like they’re over in the blink of an eye. Not just routine checkups either — even complex, hours-long procedures will seem to zip by as if just minutes have passed.

Fast, safe, effective, and free from lasting side effects, sedation lets you enjoy all of the things you love about dentistry and avoid the things that you don’t.

Oral Sedation

Take a fast-acting oral sedative and feel your anxiety slip away.

  • Effective even if you have severe anxiety
  • Lets you receive more care in fewer appointments
  • Makes appointments feel almost dream-like
  • Allows you to sleep but be easily woken up
  • Effective even if you have severe anxiety
  • Lets you receive more care in fewer appointments
  • Makes appointments feel almost dream-like
  • Allows you to sleep but be easily woken up

Gas Sedation

Breathe in, relax, and receive your treatment. It’s that simple.

  • Ideal for routine checkups
  • More accessibly priced
  • Easily works alongside other medication
  • Lets you stay fully conscious and aware

Patient Testimonials

Real Comfort.
Real Patients.

Hear from patients across Urbandale and Des Moines who used sedation to get the care they’d been putting off.

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Molly A.

Dr. Lawson and her team have been fantastic. I’ve had a lot of anxiety in the past during dental visits and they really helped ease my mind and took great care of me! The neck wrap, blanket, nitrous and Alisa holding my hand (thanks Alisa :-) we’re all game changers for me. I actually enjoy coming to the office and seeing everyone, thank you Dr. Lawson and team!
Molly A.

Cassidy C

Dr. Lawson is extremely professional and thorough! She is passionate about health and educating her patients. She goes above and beyond a regular dentist – offering help for TMJ, sleep disorders, dental anxiety, healthy start, clear aligners, airway issues, tongue ties, supplements, botox, implants, etc. She is also great for families with young children who want to be set up for dental success. She keeps up with the latest and greatest technology as well. She makes going to the dentist a breeze!
Cassidy C

Cindy S.

Dr. Lawson truly cares about her patients. She will take the time to explain things to you and she is very detail-oriented. Dr. Lawson has a great staff working with her and they will make certain you are comfortable. If you have anxiety about dental procedures or you need a lot of work done I highly recommend Lawson Dental. I am so happy to have a dentist that I trust.
Cindy S.

Courtney M.

I have horrible anxiety with anything that has to do with dentistry. I have been wanting my silver fillings replaced for a long time. My friend told me about Lawson Family Dentistry. I had a consult and Dr. Lawson and she was so nice and made me feel like she really cared about me. The day finally came and they made me feel so great. I was prescribed some anti anxiety medicine before the procedure. They got me in the chair, wrapped me in some cozy blankets, rubbed some lavender oils on my wrists, had the diffuser going and dimmed the lights. This was my first experience with laughing gas and I don’t ever want dental work without it! My experience was amazing!
Courtney M.

Dental Anesthesia Made Easier

Is oral surgery part of your dental treatment? With Anutra and OraVerse®, Dr. Lawson makes it possible for you to receive powerful local anesthesia without the lasting numbness.

Anutra keeps you comfortable and pain-free even during long or complex treatments, while OraVerse® reverses the effects of the anesthetic as soon as your treatment is complete, so you won’t experience any awkwardness while smiling, speaking, or eating.

How it works:

  1. Ask about sedation – First time? We’ll make sure it’s right for you.
  2. Receive your sedation – Your choice of gas or oral sedation.
  3. Complete your treatment – The care you need, all in total comfort.
  4. Resume your day – No lasting drowsiness or side-effects.
woman in yellow shirt smiling with teeth

DR. JESSICA LAWSON, DDS

Committed to Your Comfort

Visiting the dentist can be stressful. Dr. Lawson knows that, and sedation dentistry is her way of making sure you can always get the care you need — minus the stress.

As one of Urbandale and Des Moines’ leading wholistic dentists, it’s part of her commitment to creating a patient experience that’s better for every part of you, not just your smile.

  • AADSM Qualification
  • Wholistic Approach
  • 12+ Years of Sedation Experience
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Frequently Asked Questions

Sedation Dentistry FAQs

If you’ve been putting off dental work, you probably have questions before you’d feel comfortable saying yes to sedation. Here are the ones patients ask us most — about what it feels like, what’s safe, and what happens afterward. Anything we haven’t covered, just ask Dr. Lawson at your visit or call (515) 278-4366.

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You’ll still be conscious and aware during sedation, but you’ll feel completely relaxed. It’s common for patients to feel like time passes more quickly while they’re sedated.

Most likely yes. If you regularly take other over-the-counter or prescription medications, Dr. Lawson will be able to assess whether you’re a good candidate for dental sedation.

You certainly can. We’re able to reverse the effects of the anesthetic once your treatment is complete, letting you get back to your scheduled activities without lingering side effects.

Despite its proven benefits, most insurance companies see sedation as a luxury and aren’t willing to cover it. However, you may still be able to receive coverage for sedation if it can reduce the number of visits you require; if it’s necessary because of an existing medical condition; or if a procedure is long and complex enough that sedation becomes essential to keep you reasonably comfortable.

Each one serves a different purpose. Sedation is meant to help you relax during your visit regardless of the type of treatment you’re receiving. Anesthesia, by comparison, is meant to prevent you from feeling pain. It’s generally only used during invasive procedures, like wisdom tooth removal, which involve oral surgery.

Absolutely! Just be sure to let Dr. Lawson or your hygienist know before your treatment begins so the appropriate preparations can be made.

Take the First Step Toward Stress-Free Dentistry

Take the First Step
Toward Stress-Free Dentistry

You deserve a dental experience that feels calm, comfortable, and free from anxiety. At Lawson Dentistry, Dr. Jessica Lawson combines advanced technology with safe, proven sedation methods to make every visit easier. From routine checkups to complex restorative care, our goal is to help you achieve a healthy smile without fear or stress.

Don’t put off the care you need. Call us today at (515) 278-4366 to schedule your appointment and discover just how relaxing modern dentistry can be.