Dental care for people who are nervous about the dentist
Nitrous oxide and oral sedation with Dr. Azar Sona Saeidi, DMD, and IV sedation with a specialist we bring in for longer or surgical visits. One dentist, one patient at a time, in a quiet office two blocks from Union Square.
Sedation options, from lightest to deepest
Not everyone needs sedation. For many patients, time, a calm room and a dentist who explains each step are enough. When you want more help, we match the option to you and to the visit.
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
You breathe it through a small mask over your nose. It takes the edge off within minutes and wears off within minutes after the mask comes off, so you can drive yourself home. Good for cleanings, fillings and short visits. Given by Dr. Saeidi.
Oral conscious sedation
You take a pill, usually triazolam, about an hour before your visit. You stay awake but deeply relaxed, and many patients remember little of the visit afterward. Good for longer visits and moderate anxiety. Dr. Saeidi holds a California oral conscious sedation permit (#4081). You'll need someone to drive you home.
IV sedation
For severe anxiety or longer surgical work, such as implants or removing several teeth, we bring a sedation specialist to our office to give and monitor IV sedation while Dr. Saeidi treats you. You breathe on your own and respond when spoken to, but feel removed from the procedure. You'll need someone to drive you home.
Comfort that doesn't need medication
A rushed, high-volume visit is the worst setting for an anxious patient. Our concierge model gives you longer appointments and the same dentist every time, built around your pace.
One dentist, every visit
Dr. Saeidi does your exam, your treatment plan and your major procedures herself. You won't be passed between rotating associates, and you build trust with a face you know.
You stay in control
We talk through the plan before you sit in the chair. Raise your hand and we stop, every time. Topical numbing gel goes on before any injection.
Distraction that works
A massage chair, VR goggles with Netflix, noise-cancelling headphones for your own music or podcast, and a blanket, in a private room rather than an open bay.
A comfortable recovery
For surgical procedures, long-acting numbing (Exparel) can keep the area comfortable for up to three days, which means less pain medication at home.
How a visit works
1. A conversation first
Tell us what worries you: needles, the drill sound, gagging, a bad past experience, or simply not knowing what's ahead. Dr. Saeidi reviews your health history and medications and recommends the lightest option that will work.
2. A written plan and estimate
You get a written treatment plan with costs before any work begins, including any sedation fee. No surprises at checkout.
3. Before your visit
For oral or IV sedation, we give you written instructions about eating, drinking and your usual medications, and you arrange a ride home with an adult.
4. Treatment at your pace
Breaks when you need them. Long cases can be split into shorter visits. After nitrous you can head back to work; after oral or IV sedation, plan to rest for the rest of the day.
About Dr. Azar Sona Saeidi
Dr. Saeidi founded Soothing Dental as a concierge practice for patients who want an unhurried, personal visit. Her clinical interests include sedation for anxious patients, cosmetic dentistry and complex full-mouth rehabilitation.
She graduated from Boston University's Goldman School of Dental Medicine and speaks English, Spanish and Farsi.
- DMD · Boston University
- California Dental License #60566
- CA Oral Conscious Sedation Permit #4081
- ADA · CDA · SFDS member
Visit Soothing Dental
📍 Location
Soothing Dental
450 Sutter Street, Suite 2500
San Francisco, CA 94108
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🚶 Getting here
Two blocks from Union Square and one block from the Powell Street cable car.
Nearest BART and Muni: Powell Street station.
Paid parking at the Union Square Garage and the Sutter-Stockton Garage.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be sedated for a cleaning?
Yes. Nitrous oxide is often used for cleanings and short visits, and you can drive yourself home afterward. Oral sedation is an option for longer visits.
Will I be asleep?
No. With nitrous oxide and oral sedation you stay awake but relaxed. IV sedation is deeper: you breathe on your own and can respond, but most patients feel removed from the procedure and remember little of it.
Who gives the IV sedation?
A sedation specialist comes to our office for IV cases and gives and monitors the sedation, so Dr. Saeidi can focus on your treatment. Nitrous oxide and oral sedation are given by Dr. Saeidi herself.
Do I need someone to drive me home?
Not after nitrous oxide. After oral or IV sedation, yes: an adult needs to take you home, and you shouldn't drive for the rest of the day.
I haven't been to a dentist in years. Is that a problem?
Not at all, and we won't lecture you. Your first visit is usually a conversation and a gentle exam. We take photos and X-rays so you can see what we see, then plan the work in stages you can handle.
Can you help with a strong gag reflex or a fear of needles?
Yes. Digital scans replace messy impressions, and we use strong topical numbing and a slow, gentle injection technique. In stubborn cases, a small dose of oral sedation helps.
Does insurance cover sedation?
It depends on your plan and the procedure. We accept and submit claims for all PPO plans (we're typically out-of-network), give you a written estimate first, and offer 0% financing through CareCredit.
Ready when you are
Start with a conversation. Tell us what worries you, and we'll plan a visit around it, even if all you want today is to talk.