Sedation dentistry
Dr. Lee is trained in light to moderate conscious sedation and is current on her continuing education. For treatment needing deeper or IV sedation, she works with an anesthesiologist.
Sedation, TMJ, and sleep apnea care in Seattle
Dr. Jaime Lee evaluates dental anxiety, jaw and facial pain, and sleep-apnea oral-appliance needs separately because each concern has a different diagnosis, treatment goal, and provider responsibility.
Her advanced training in sedation and pain management, TMD and orofacial pain, neuromuscular orthodontics, and sleep apnea treatment supports those distinct evaluations without combining them into one diagnosis.
Comfort, jaw & sleep
How is care for anxiety, jaw pain, and sleep apnea different?
Dental anxiety affects how a patient tolerates treatment, while TMD and orofacial pain involve jaw-joint, muscle, or related facial symptoms. Sleep-apnea oral appliance therapy follows a medically diagnosed sleep condition.
Keeping them separate allows Dr. Lee to use the right evaluation and involve an anesthesiologist or physician when that provider is responsible for part of the care.
- Anxiety or fear about dental visits
- A strong gag reflex
- Jaw pain, clicking, or headaches
- Snoring or diagnosed sleep apnea
What sedation, TMJ, and sleep apnea care is available?
Dental anxiety care
Dr. Lee incorporates dental anxiety into treatment planning and determines whether communication, pacing, conscious sedation, or anesthesiology support should be part of the care plan.
TMJ treatment
Problems with the jaw joint and muscles can cause jaw pain, clicking, headaches, or a jaw that feels stiff. Dr. Lee has advanced training in TMD and orofacial pain.
Night guards for teeth grinding
A custom night guard is a thin, fitted appliance worn during sleep to protect your teeth from grinding and clenching. Dr. Lee evaluates your teeth, jaw, and bite to determine whether a night guard fits your care.
Sleep apnea mouth guards
A sleep apnea mouth guard (an oral appliance) is a custom device worn during sleep that holds the lower jaw slightly forward to help keep the airway open. It may be an option for some people with sleep apnea.
How do I know which type of care I need?
- Define the concern. Dr. Lee first identifies whether the primary issue is dental anxiety, jaw or facial pain, or a sleep-related oral-appliance need.
- Medical context. Dr. Lee reviews the health history, medications, previous treatment, and any medical diagnosis that affects the dental plan.
- Evaluate the concern. She evaluates the teeth, bite, jaw joints, muscles, airway-related dental structures, or treatment requirements that are relevant to the specific concern.
- Choose the care plan. Sedation supports dental treatment, TMD care follows the jaw diagnosis, and sleep-apnea appliance therapy is coordinated with medical sleep care.
- Follow-up. Follow-up depends on the care provided and may include evaluating symptoms or adjusting an appliance.
Can Dr. Lee help with dental anxiety, jaw pain, or sleep apnea?
Dr. Lee offers sedation options to help manage dental anxiety. She also provides evaluations for jaw pain and TMJ symptoms, and coordinates dental appliance therapy for patients with medically diagnosed sleep apnea.
Oral appliance therapy may be considered for selected adults with medically diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea when the medical treatment plan supports that approach and the teeth, gums, bite, and jaw joints can support an appliance.
What should you expect from sedation or oral-appliance care?
Dr. Lee offers light to moderate conscious sedation and will provide instructions for preparing for your visit. For treatment requiring deeper or IV sedation, she works with an anesthesiologist who manages the sedation and recovery.
Oral appliances require follow-up to evaluate fit, jaw symptoms, tooth position, bite changes, and the condition of the appliance over time.
When should I schedule a visit for anxiety, jaw pain, or sleep apnea?
Dr. Lee can discuss sedation options if dental visits make you anxious. You can schedule an evaluation if you have jaw pain, limited jaw movement, locking, or painful clicking. For sleep apnea, an appliance may be considered after a physician establishes the medical diagnosis.
What affects the cost of sedation, TMJ, or sleep-apnea care?
The cost of care depends on the evaluation, any sedation used, the treatment provided, and whether specialist care is involved. Smile Art can verify how your dental or medical benefits may apply.
PPO insurance
Smile Art accepts all PPO insurance.
Contact the office with your plan details to ask about coverage and network participation.
Coverage varies by plan, and some sleep apnea care may involve medical rather than dental insurance.
Third-party financing
Available through:
- CareCredit
- Cherry
- LendingClub
Financing is subject to the provider’s approval and terms.
Who provides this care at Smile Art?
Dr. Jaime Lee earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from Loma Linda University in 2002 and completed advanced training in sedation and pain management through OHSU and DOCS Education.
Dr. Lee applies advanced training in TMD, orofacial pain, and sleep apnea treatment to diagnose your specific structural concerns. For complex procedures requiring IV sedation, she coordinates with a dedicated anesthesiologist.
Where is our Seattle dental office?
Smile Art is at 901 Boren Ave, Suite 1030, Seattle, WA 98104. We welcome new patients from Seattle and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Smile Art by Dr. Jaime Lee901 Boren Ave, Suite 1030
Seattle, WA 98104
Seattle, WA 98104
HoursMonday–Thursday, 8:00am–4:00pm
Phone(206) 325-7200
The Cabrini Medical Tower garage entrance is at 1010 Marion St. The building entrance is on Boren Ave; Dr. Lee is in Suite 1030. Parking for a Smile Art visit does not require validation. Directions to the garage. Check posted rates when you park.