Smile Science Dental Spa

Sedation Dentistry in Glendale, AZ - Anxiety-Free Care

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

Does dental anxiety keep you from getting the care you know you need? Sedation could be a great option for you.

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Fear-free consultations available this week.
4.9  ·  400+ Google Reviews
Overview

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry helps you feel calm, relaxed, and at ease during dental procedures. It’s a moderate level of sedation, so you’re still technically awake but feeling very carefree. It’s sometimes called conscious sedation dentistry or “twilight sleep” because it creates a state of short-term amnesia (forgetfulness) where you experience insensitivity to pain without the loss of consciousness.

It’s beneficial for people with dental anxiety or for those who are undergoing lengthy treatment.

Benefits

Why Choose Sedation?

  • Feel calm and relaxed throughout your entire procedure
  • Short-term amnesia means little to no memory of the appointment
  • Insensitivity to pain without losing consciousness
  • Ideal for long or complex dental treatments
  • Removes dental anxiety as a barrier to necessary care
  • You remain able to respond to your dentist throughout
Dental Anxiety & Fear

What is Dental Anxiety? How Can Sedation Dentistry Help?

Dental anxieties are quite common, and certainly no reason to be ashamed. Dental anxiety can be associated with the dental clinic setting or specific triggers like needles, drills, white coat syndrome, etc. There are various reasons why these kinds of anxieties develop, including previous negative experiences with a dentist, extreme sensitivity or resistance to local anesthetics.

Luckily, there is something you can do to help you get the treatment you need. At Smile Science Dental Spa, we believe that even extreme dental anxiety is manageable and shouldn’t be a barrier to receiving the care our patients need. With sedation, we are able to help keep patients calm for the duration of their dental treatments so they can get the necessary work completed quickly and efficiently.

Additionally, we use medications that help to not only provide comfort during the procedure, but will also create a partially amnesic effect, which will make the whole experience a fuzzy memory!

Your Options

Types of Sedation Dentistry

Here at Smile Science Dental Spa, we offer a couple options for sedation depending on what is the right fit for you:

  • Oral Conscious Sedation involves a prescription for sedative pills that are catered to you by the doctor. Sedative medication is typically given the night before to help you sleep, as well as the morning of your procedure to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.
  • Hospital-Grade IV Sedation involves deep sedation administered by a board-certified dental anesthesiologist. This option provides the highest level of both safety and comfort, allowing you to be completely relaxed throughout your procedure.
IV Sedation

Who Needs IV Sedation Dentistry? Is It Safe?

Anyone in good health can be a candidate for IV sedation dentistry, but it is an especially effective solution for patients who experience the following:

  • Phobia of dental procedures
  • Difficulty getting numb
  • Sensitive teeth or oral nerves
  • Complex dental issues
  • Resistance to local anesthetic
  • A small mouth that aches during dental work
  • General anxiety disorder
Why This Matters

Our IV Sedation Is Administered by a Board-Certified Dental Anesthesiologist

Most dental offices that offer IV sedation use a nurse anesthetist (CRNA). We do not. Our IV sedation is administered by a board-certified dental anesthesiologist, a practitioner with a full dental degree plus a separate anesthesiology residency.

That distinction matters when you are being sedated for a complex implant case, wisdom tooth extraction, or any procedure where you need to be completely certain of the safety level. It is a higher standard, and it is the standard we hold ourselves to.

The Credential
✓Dental degree (DMD/DDS)
✓Anesthesiology residency
✓Board certification
✓In-office on treatment days
The Experience

What Does IV Sedation Feel Like?

The sedative works to put you in a semi-conscious state, so you are unaware and unable to remember the events happening around you, although you can still respond to your dentist’s requests.

When the sedative takes effect, our patients generally feel extremely relaxed, similar to a dream-like state of mind. Following the procedure, most say they didn’t even realize how much time had passed and that their appointment was already over.

Preparation & Recovery

Before & After the Appointment

What you need to know to prepare and recover from your sedation procedure

  1. 10 hours before

    Avoid eating or drinking. Take your normal medication with a sip of water unless instructed otherwise. Do not smoke for 24 hours before your procedure.

    Before: No Food or Drink

  2. Before: Prepare Your Clothing

    Day of appointment

    Wear comfortable clothing with no jewelry, nail polish, or contact lenses. Brush your teeth before arriving.

  3. Post-procedure

    You will remain in recovery until fully alert before being released to your companion. You may feel drowsy, so plan to rest for the remainder of the day.

    After: Recovery Period

  4. After: Rest 24 Hours

    24-hour restriction

    Avoid alcohol, driving, and strenuous activity for the full day. Take any prescribed medication as directed. Your companion is responsible for driving you home.

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

The Doctors Behind Your Comfort

Board-certified expertise at every step -- from consultation through recovery.

Dr. Richard Dawson, DMD, ICOI Fellow

Dr. Richard Dawson, DMD

ICOI Fellow  ·  4,000+ implants placed

Dr. Dawson handles the surgical side of patient care -- extractions, implant placement, bone grafting, and all procedures requiring sedation. His ICOI Fellowship and extensive case volume mean you're in expert hands for even the most complex treatment.

Dr. John Turke, DMD, Co-Founder

Dr. John Turke, DMD

Restorative & Digital Dentistry Lead

Dr. Turke manages restorative treatment, including crowns, veneers, and the prosthetic phase of implant cases. He coordinates closely with Dr. Dawson so patients receive seamless, complete care entirely in-house.

IV Sedation by a Board-Certified Dental Anesthesiologist

All IV sedation at Smile Science is administered by a board-certified dental anesthesiologist who manages your airway and monitors you throughout the procedure. This is hospital-grade safety -- in a dental office.

Schedule Your Sedation Consultation

What Our Patients Say

4.9 (400+ reviews)

Pricing Transparency

How Is Sedation Priced?

Sedation dentistry pricing depends on the type of sedation and the length of your procedure. Oral conscious sedation is $350 as an add-on to your treatment. IV sedation is priced based on procedure duration and complexity. We provide an exact quote at your consultation. Consultations are always complimentary.

Most dental insurance does not cover sedation, but it does cover the underlying procedures. Financing is available through CareCredit, Sunbit, and Proceed Finance. Most patients qualify for 0% interest plans. Ask about financing when you schedule.

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.

Independent & Doctor-Owned

Smile Science is owned entirely by Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke -- two practicing dentists with no outside investors, no DSO involvement, and no private equity. The doctors making your treatment decisions are the same people whose names are on the practice.

Your sedation protocol is determined by your doctor and a board-certified dental anesthesiologist -- not a corporate comfort package.

Your Questions Answered

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Sedation is administered by clinicians with advanced training in sedation protocols and monitored throughout your appointment with pulse oximetry and blood pressure tracking. We review your health history, medications, and allergies before every sedation appointment to ensure you are an appropriate candidate.
Oral sedation effects typically wear off within 4 to 6 hours. IV sedation produces a deeper effect that dissipates within 2 to 4 hours in most patients, though grogginess can persist through the day. You will need a responsible adult to drive you home and should avoid operating machinery or making significant decisions for 24 hours.
With IV sedation, most patients have little to no memory of the procedure. This amnestic effect is one of the reasons IV sedation is popular for patients with dental anxiety -- you may feel as though almost no time passed. With oral sedation, some patients retain partial recollection, particularly of the beginning of the appointment.
Coverage depends on your plan and the clinical reason for sedation. Sedation is more likely to be covered when it is medically necessary, such as for patients with severe dental phobia, developmental disabilities, or procedures requiring extended chair time. We verify your benefits prior to your appointment and inform you of any out-of-pocket cost.
Oral sedation is taken in pill form before your appointment and produces moderate relaxation. IV sedation is administered through a small catheter in the arm and provides deeper, faster-acting sedation with precise adjustability throughout the procedure. IV sedation is preferred for longer procedures or patients with significant dental anxiety.
For IV sedation, you must fast for at least 6 to 8 hours before your appointment -- no food or liquid other than a small sip of water for necessary medications. For oral sedation, fasting requirements are typically lighter. We will provide specific pre-procedure instructions tailored to your sedation type when you schedule.
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.

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Visit Smile Science in Glendale

Address

20118 N 67th Ave, Suite 308
Glendale, AZ 85308

Phone

(480) 530-3663

Hours

Mon–Thu: 9am–5pm
Fri: 9am–2pm
Sat: Closed

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Also at Smile Science:
IV SedationDental Anxiety