Dentistry at your pace
Sedation Dentistry
in Alpharetta, GA
Three levels of sedation, from light relaxation to a twilight state. You and the dentist choose which one suits the appointment, and your breathing, pulse and oxygen are monitored throughout.
- 170+ five-star reviews
- Three sedation options
- Vital signs monitored throughout
- Talk it through first, at no charge
Three levels, not one
Inhaled, oral or intravenous. The level is matched to the appointment, so a cleaning does not get treated like surgery.
Monitored the whole time
Pulse, blood oxygen and vital signs are watched from the moment sedation begins until you are ready to leave.
Decided in conversation
Your medical history and current medications are reviewed before any option is recommended. You are not committed to anything at that visit.
Complimentary consultation
Free Sedation Consultation
A conversation about what the appointment involves and which option fits it. No treatment is booked on the day unless you want it.
What Sedation Dentistry Is
Sedation dentistry means using medication to lower your awareness of a dental appointment while it happens. It is not general anaesthesia, which is a hospital procedure and is rarely needed for dentistry. At Smile Makers of Georgia in Alpharetta we offer three levels of it, and the level is chosen for the appointment rather than applied to everything.
People ask about it for several different reasons: a sensitive gag reflex, local anaesthetic that does not hold reliably, a long piece of treatment that would otherwise be split across four visits, or simply finding dental appointments hard to face. All of them are ordinary reasons to ask, and none of them needs explaining or justifying to us.
Whichever level is used, your medical history and current medications are reviewed before anything is recommended, and your vital signs are monitored from the moment sedation begins until you are ready to go home.
Pre-visit and post-visit instructions are given to you in writing rather than on the day. After oral or intravenous sedation you will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for several hours; after nitrous oxide alone you can drive yourself.
Your Comfort is Our Priority
We tailor your sedation experience to your precise needs and comfort level. From a light, calming touch to a deep, peaceful rest, we have an option that's perfect for you.
Nitrous Oxide
Inhaled · also called laughing gas
A gas breathed through a small nose hood. It takes effect within minutes and clears within minutes of the mask coming off.
- Suits
- Cleanings and routine appointments
- Driving
- You can drive yourself home
Oral Conscious Sedation
A tablet, taken before the appointment
You stay awake and able to answer, but drowsy and unbothered by what is going on. The appointment tends to feel much shorter than it was.
- Suits
- Fillings, crowns, longer appointments
- Driving
- Someone must drive you home
IV Sedation
Delivered through a vein, adjusted as it goes
A twilight state. You are technically awake, but most people remember little or nothing of the appointment afterwards.
- Suits
- Oral surgery and complex treatment
- Driving
- Someone must drive you home and stay with you
When People Ask Us About Sedation
These are the four reasons we hear most. Any of them is a reasonable thing to raise at a consultation.
Appointments are hard to face
Some people put off dental care for years. Sedation is one of the things that makes the appointment possible.
A sensitive gag reflex
Impressions and x-rays are difficult for some people to tolerate. Sedation settles the reflex enough to take them.
Long or combined treatment
Several pieces of work can be done in one longer appointment rather than spread over four separate ones.
Local anaesthetic that does not hold
A minority of people are difficult to numb reliably. Sedation is used alongside the local, not instead of it.
What is true of every sedation appointment here
Four things do not vary, whichever level you and the dentist settle on.
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Your history is reviewed first
Medical history and every medication you take, before any option is recommended.
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You are monitored throughout
Vital signs, blood oxygen and pulse, from the start of sedation until you are ready to leave.
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You get the instructions in advance
Fasting, transport and what to wear, in writing, before the day rather than on it.
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Someone goes through recovery with you
Post-appointment instructions are given to you and to whoever is taking you home.
Combine Comfort with Any Dental Treatment
Sedation dentistry isn't a standalone service—it's a tool we use to make your essential dental care possible. Whether you need a routine cleaning or a full smile makeover, we can integrate sedation to ensure your experience is positive.
Family Dentistry
Anxiety-free cleanings and preventive care.
Emergency Care
Get urgent treatment without the stress.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Relax during your smile transformation.
Dental Implants
A comfortable and calm implant experience.
TMJ Therapy
Relief from jaw pain and clenching.
All Dental Services
Explore every service we offer.
What to Expect at Your Visit
Here's exactly what happens when you come in — no surprises.
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1 20 min
Judgment-Free Consultation
We listen to your fears, review medical history and medications, and recommend the safest sedation option for you.
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2 15 min
Pre-Visit Prep
For oral or IV sedation, you'll receive clear instructions ahead of time — fasting, transportation, and comfort clothing.
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3 10 min
Sedation Onset
Nitrous starts working in minutes; oral sedation takes 30-60 min; IV is immediate. You'll feel calm and detached from anxiety.
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4 Varies
Continuous Monitoring
Vital signs, oxygen, and pulse are monitored the entire time by our trained sedation team while your dental work is completed.
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5 30 min
Gentle Recovery
We monitor your wake-up, review post-op instructions with your companion, and send you home safely to rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Call (770) 520-4013 and we'll answer anything.
- Is sedation dentistry safe?
- Yes — when administered by trained professionals in a monitored setting, sedation dentistry has an excellent safety record. Our doctors and staff are certified in sedation protocols, BLS, and emergency response. We continuously monitor your vital signs, oxygen saturation, and pulse throughout the procedure. We carefully review your medical history and medications before recommending any sedation option.
- What's the difference between nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation?
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) produces light relaxation, wears off immediately, and you can drive yourself home. Oral sedation is a pill taken before your visit that produces moderate, conscious relaxation — you'll need a ride home. IV sedation delivers the deepest twilight state with little memory of the procedure, ideal for severe anxiety or complex surgeries, and requires a driver. We match the level to your anxiety and treatment.
- Will I be asleep or unconscious during sedation?
- With nitrous and oral sedation, you stay conscious and can respond to instructions — you'll just feel deeply relaxed and time will seem to pass quickly. IV sedation puts you in a twilight state where you're technically awake but won't remember most or any of the procedure. True general anesthesia (fully asleep) is rarely needed for dentistry and performed in a hospital setting.
- How much does sedation dentistry cost in Alpharetta?
- The cost depends on the level of sedation (nitrous oxide, oral, or IV), the length of your procedure, and your overall treatment plan. Some dental insurance plans cover sedation when medically necessary (severe anxiety, special needs, extensive procedures), and we work to maximize your benefits. Flexible monthly payment options are available through Cherry and CareCredit. Your free consultation includes a personalized treatment plan with a clear, itemized quote before any work begins — no surprises.
- Can I drive after sedation dentistry?
- After nitrous oxide only, yes — it wears off within minutes and you can drive yourself home. After oral or IV sedation, absolutely not. You must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for several hours afterward. The medications can impair judgment, coordination, and memory for up to 24 hours, so no driving, work, or major decisions during that time.