Can I drive myself home after IV sedation?

No. You must have a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you for at least two hours after IV sedation. The sedative medications remain in your system for several hours, and driving is not safe during that time.

How long does IV sedation last?

The procedure itself typically takes 1 to 4 hours depending on the scope of work. Recovery in our office takes 30 to 60 minutes before you're cleared to leave with your driver. Most patients feel back to normal by the following day.

What procedures can be done under IV sedation?

Most dental procedures can be performed under IV sedation, including All-On-4 implants, multiple extractions, full mouth rehabilitation, wisdom teeth removal, and extensive restorative work. We review your treatment plan and medical history before recommending sedation.

Does insurance cover IV sedation dentistry?

Coverage varies by plan. Some dental insurances cover IV sedation when it's medically necessary, such as for patients with severe anxiety or complex surgical cases. We verify your benefits before the appointment.

Am I completely unconscious during IV sedation?

IV sedation for dentistry produces a deeply relaxed, twilight state -- not full general anesthesia. You remain technically conscious and able to respond to simple prompts, but most patients have no memory of the procedure afterward. The level of sedation is continuously adjusted throughout your appointment.

Who administers IV sedation at Smile Science?

IV sedation is administered by our board-certified dental anesthesiologist. Your vital signs are monitored continuously with pulse oximetry and blood pressure monitoring throughout the procedure. We do not outsource sedation administration.

IV Sedation Dentistry in Glendale, AZ

IV Sedation Dentistry in Glendale, AZ. Sleep Through Your Dental Procedure.

IV sedation by a board-certified dental anesthesiologist · Independent · Doctor-Owned

IV sedation is the deepest form of in-office dental sedation short of general anesthesia. You remain breathing on your own, but you won't feel, hear, or remember a thing.

Ask About IV Sedation (480) 530-3663

Fear-free consultations available this week.

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Deep

Sedation Level

near-anesthesia

Memory of Procedure

amnesia effect

How it works

Not General Anesthesia

You breathe on your own throughout the procedure. IV sedation delivers medication directly into the bloodstream for fast, precise, and reversible sedation that goes much deeper than oral sedation pills.

You remain breathing independently

After the appointment

Need a Driver to Go Home

You must have a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you for at least two hours. You cannot drive yourself under any circumstances the day of sedation.

Arrange a driver before booking

IV Sedation at Smile Science

Monitoring

Continuous vital signs

Recovery time

1 to 2 hours post-procedure

Memory of procedure

Minimal to none

Driver required

Yes, required for discharge

What it is

IV Sedation vs. Oral Sedation vs. General Anesthesia

IV sedation delivers sedative medication through a vein, allowing precise dosing and immediate effect. It produces a deeply relaxed state with little to no memory of the procedure. It is more controllable than oral sedation and does not require an anesthesiologist or breathing tube like general anesthesia.

Most patients describe the experience as going to sleep in the chair and waking up when the procedure is already done.

Onset within 30–60 seconds of administration
Dosage adjusted in real time throughout the procedure
Amnesia effect: most patients have little to no recall
You breathe independently; no breathing tube required
Reversal agents available if needed

Why This Matters

IV Sedation at Smile Science Is Administered by a Board-Certified Dental Anesthesiologist

IV sedation at Smile Science is administered by a board-certified dental anesthesiologist, not a nurse anesthetist (CRNA), and not outsourced to a third-party service. This is a meaningful distinction: our anesthesiologist works directly with our team and is present for your entire procedure.

That standard matters when you are being sedated for a complex implant case, wisdom tooth extraction, or any procedure where safety is non-negotiable. It is a higher bar, and it is the bar we hold ourselves to.

The Credential

✓Dental degree (DMD/DDS)

✓Anesthesiology residency

✓Board certification

✓In-office on treatment days

Side by Side

IV Sedation vs. Oral Sedation

Both reduce anxiety. The key differences are in depth, reliability, and how quickly you feel the effects.

Factor	IV Sedation	Oral Sedation
How Given	Directly into a vein	Pill taken 1 hour before
Depth	Deep (near-unconscious)	Moderate (drowsy, relaxed)
Onset	30–60 seconds	45–90 minutes
Controllability	Adjusted in real time	Fixed once ingested
Memory of Procedure	Rarely any recall	Possible partial recall
Recovery	30–60 min in office; rest of day at home	2–4 hours; rest of day at home
Best For	Severe anxiety, long procedures, All-On-4	Mild to moderate anxiety, shorter procedures

Candidacy

Who Benefits Most from IV Sedation

IV sedation is appropriate for a range of clinical and personal situations. Here are the most common scenarios we see.

Severe Dental Anxiety

Patients whose fear prevents them from completing care, even under oral sedation or nitrous oxide, often find IV sedation to be the only option that allows them to receive needed treatment.

Extensive or Multi-Hour Work

Full mouth restorations, multiple extractions, and implant surgeries that might take 3 to 6 hours can be completed in a single appointment under IV sedation, avoiding multiple shorter visits.

Strong Gag Reflex

A hypersensitive gag reflex makes many dental procedures difficult or impossible to complete while the patient is fully awake. IV sedation suppresses this response entirely.

Prior Traumatic Dental Experience

Patients who experienced pain, complications, or emotionally difficult dental visits in the past often have a conditioned fear response. IV sedation bypasses that response entirely.

All-On-4 Surgery

Most All-On-4 cases at our practice are performed under IV sedation. The scope of the surgery and the importance of a still, relaxed patient during implant placement make IV sedation the standard of care for this procedure.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Impacted wisdom teeth requiring surgical extraction are among the most common IV sedation cases. Patients wake up with the procedure complete and minimal memory of the experience.

Your safety

Safety and Monitoring During IV Sedation

IV sedation in a dental office follows strict protocols. Here is what is in place throughout your procedure.

Continuous Vital Monitoring

Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiration are monitored continuously throughout the procedure with dedicated monitoring equipment. Your safety is never delegated.

Trained Clinical Team

Our team includes providers with advanced sedation training. For certain complex cases, we bring in board-certified dental anesthesiologists to administer and monitor sedation independently of the treating doctor.

Emergency Protocol in Place

Reversal agents, emergency medications, oxygen, and resuscitation equipment are always on-site and immediately accessible. Emergency protocols are rehearsed regularly by our team.

The experience

Comfort From Check-In to Recovery

Sedation works best when you arrive already calm. Our environment is designed to lower anxiety before the IV line is even placed.

⛄

Heated Massage Chairs

Treatment chairs with heated massage settings help reduce pre-procedure tension. Small comforts make a meaningful difference when you're anxious about a procedure.

🎧

Noise-Cancelling Headphones

We provide noise-cancelling headphones so you can listen to music, a podcast, or nothing at all. Sound blocking helps reduce the anxiety associated with dental equipment noise.

🧟

Weighted Blankets

Weighted blankets provide gentle, calming pressure during the procedure. They are available on request and washed between every use.

No Surprises

Sedation Pricing

Nitrous Oxide

Ask at your visit

Low-level relaxation, wears off immediately

You stay fully awake and responsive
Safe to drive yourself home after
Good for mild anxiety or short procedures

Most Common

Oral Conscious Sedation

$350

Added to your procedure cost

Pills taken before your appointment
You stay awake but deeply relaxed
Works for most procedures
Driver required

IV Sedation (General Anesthesia)

From $1,500

Anesthesia fee only, procedure cost separate

Administered by board-certified dental anesthesiologist
You are fully unconscious
$1,500 for wisdom teeth, $2,500/arch for full-arch implants
Other procedures: confirmed before you commit
Driver required, recovery day recommended

Sedation fees can be rolled into financing through CareCredit, Cherry, Sunbit, or Proceed Finance. Most patients qualify for 0% interest options.

Your Care Team

Meet the Doctors

Founder & Lead Implant Surgeon

Dr. Rich Dawson, DDS

ICOI Fellow · 4,000+ Implants Placed · GP with Advanced Surgical Training

Dr. Dawson founded Smile Science Dental Spa with a singular focus: deliver surgical-grade implant care in a spa environment. With over 4,000 implants placed and ICOI Fellowship credentials, he leads every full-arch and complex implant case.

Schedule Online

Your Restorative Dentist

Dr. John Turke, DMD

Co-Founder -- Restorative and Digital Dentistry Lead -- Midwestern University DMD

Dr. Turke co-founded Smile Science Dental Spa and leads all restorative and cosmetic dentistry. An Implant Pathway Fellow and Invisalign provider, he manages the aesthetic and restorative phases of complex cases in partnership with Dr. Dawson.

Schedule Online

The Smile Science Experience

Dentistry That Feels Different

From your first visit, you will notice we approach things differently. See what patients experience at Smile Science Dental Spa.

Common Questions

IV Sedation FAQ

Patients with severe dental anxiety, those undergoing long or complex procedures such as implants, extractions, or full-arch surgery, patients with a strong gag reflex, or anyone who simply wants to be completely unaware during their procedure. We assess your situation at the consultation and recommend the level of sedation that makes sense for what you need done.
Certain conditions require additional evaluation before IV sedation can be approved, including severe heart or lung disease, uncontrolled diabetes, and some bleeding disorders. Our board-certified dental anesthesiologist reviews your full medical history and current medications at the pre-sedation consultation. Most patients with managed chronic conditions are cleared without issue.
IV sedation is generally not recommended during pregnancy. Emergency dental care can still be performed using local anesthesia, which is considered safe. If you are breastfeeding, discuss your situation with our team and your OB before scheduling. We will always prioritize your safety and your baby's safety above convenience.
No. You must have a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you for at least two hours after IV sedation. The sedative medications remain in your system for several hours, and driving is not safe during that time.
The procedure itself typically takes 1 to 4 hours depending on the scope of work. Recovery in our office takes 30 to 60 minutes before you're cleared to leave with your driver. Most patients feel back to normal by the following day.
Most dental procedures can be performed under IV sedation, including All-On-4 implants, multiple extractions, full mouth rehabilitation, wisdom teeth removal, and extensive restorative work. We review your treatment plan and medical history before recommending sedation.
Coverage varies by plan. Some dental insurances cover IV sedation when it's medically necessary, such as for patients with severe anxiety or complex surgical cases. We verify your benefits before the appointment.
IV sedation for dentistry produces a deeply relaxed, twilight state -- not full general anesthesia. You remain technically conscious and able to respond to simple prompts, but most patients have no memory of the procedure afterward. The level of sedation is continuously adjusted throughout your appointment.
IV sedation is administered by our board-certified dental anesthesiologist. Your vital signs are monitored continuously with pulse oximetry and blood pressure monitoring throughout the procedure. We do not outsource sedation administration.
No. Smile Science is 100% owned by Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke, two practicing dentists. There are no outside investors, no private equity involvement, and no management company directing clinical decisions. Both owners practice here full time. In a DSO or corporate chain, treatment recommendations can be influenced by investor returns, production quotas, or rotating providers who do not know your history. At Smile Science, the people making your treatment decisions are the same people whose names are on the practice. They are the doctors you will see at your appointment.

IV Sedation Dentistry in Glendale, AZ. Sleep Through Your Dental Procedure.

IV Sedation vs. Oral Sedation vs. General Anesthesia

IV Sedation at Smile Science Is Administered by a Board-Certified Dental Anesthesiologist

IV Sedation vs. Oral Sedation

Who Benefits Most from IV Sedation

Safety and Monitoring During IV Sedation

Comfort From Check-In to Recovery

Sedation Pricing

Meet the Doctors

Dr. Rich Dawson, DDS

Dr. John Turke, DMD

What Our Patients Say

Dentistry That Feels Different

IV Sedation FAQ

Ready to Sleep Through Your Next Procedure?

Hear From Our Patients

Visit Smile Science in Glendale

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