Sedation Dentistry in Chandler, AZ

Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. You remain conscious and able to respond throughout treatment, but you feel calm, comfortable, and detached from any anxiety. Many patients describe the experience as feeling like the appointment lasted only a few minutes, even for longer procedures. Sedation is available for everything from routine cleanings to complex treatments like dental implants and root canals.

Your Sedation Dentistry Team in Chandler

Dr. Scott Lee founded Every Smile in 2013 with a commitment to making dental care comfortable for every patient, regardless of anxiety level. A cum laude graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and former United States Marine Corps member, Dr. Lee’s calm, steady demeanor puts even the most nervous patients at ease. He is certified in sedation dentistry and has administered sedation for hundreds of procedures at our Chandler office. Dr. Lee is an active member of the American Dental Association and the Arizona Dental Association.

Dr. Richard Monahan brings decades of clinical experience and a naturally reassuring chairside manner to Every Smile. His patient-first approach makes him a favorite among families and patients with dental anxiety. Dr. Monahan provides sedation for general dentistry procedures including fillings, crowns, and periodontal care.

Dr. Kelli Hahn offers sedation during cosmetic and restorative procedures. With over 1,000 hours of advanced training at the Kois Center in Seattle, Dr. Hahn ensures that anxious patients who need veneers, cosmetic dentistry, or complex restorative work receive both beautiful results and a comfortable experience.

All three doctors practice at 2160 W Chandler Blvd Ste 20, Chandler, AZ 85224.

Sedation Options We Offer

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

The mildest and most commonly used form of dental sedation. You breathe a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a small mask placed over your nose. Within minutes, you feel relaxed, warm, and slightly euphoric. You remain fully conscious and can communicate with your dentist throughout the procedure. When the mask is removed, the effects wear off within 3 to 5 minutes. You can drive yourself home and return to normal activities immediately. Nitrous oxide is safe for both children and adults and is an excellent option for patients with mild to moderate dental anxiety. It typically adds $50 to $150 to the cost of your visit.

Oral Sedation

A deeper level of relaxation for patients with moderate to severe anxiety. Dr. Lee prescribes a sedative medication (typically a benzodiazepine) that you take about an hour before your appointment. By the time you sit down in the dental chair, you feel deeply relaxed and drowsy. You remain conscious and can respond to instructions, but most patients feel so relaxed that they remember very little about the procedure afterward. Oral sedation is ideal for patients who have strong gag reflexes, need extensive treatment completed in one visit, or who haven’t been to the dentist in years due to fear. You will need a friend or family member to drive you to and from the appointment. Oral sedation typically adds $250 to $500 to your visit.

Combining Sedation Methods

For patients with severe anxiety, Dr. Lee can combine nitrous oxide with oral sedation to achieve a deeper level of relaxation. This combination approach is particularly helpful for lengthy procedures like implant placement, multiple extractions, or full-mouth restorative work. The specific combination is tailored to your medical history, anxiety level, and the procedure being performed.

Who Benefits from Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation is not just for people who are “afraid of the dentist.” Many practical situations make sedation the right choice:

Dental anxiety or phobia. If the thought of a dental appointment causes genuine distress, racing heartbeat, or sleepless nights, sedation removes the emotional barrier so you can receive care you’ve been avoiding.

Strong gag reflex. Some patients have a hypersensitive gag reflex that makes routine procedures uncomfortable or impossible. Sedation relaxes the reflex, allowing your dentist to work efficiently and comfortably.

Difficulty getting numb. A small percentage of patients don’t respond well to local anesthesia alone. Sedation provides an additional layer of comfort that ensures a pain-free experience.

Extensive treatment in one visit. If you need multiple fillings, a crown, and a deep cleaning, sedation allows us to complete everything in a single longer appointment rather than spreading it across several visits. This is especially helpful for patients with busy schedules or those catching up after years away from the dentist.

Special needs patients. Patients with physical, cognitive, or sensory conditions that make sitting in a dental chair difficult often benefit significantly from sedation.

Children who are fearful. Nitrous oxide is safe and effective for pediatric patients who feel anxious. Positive early dental experiences with sedation support build lifelong comfort with dental care.

What to Expect on Your Sedation Visit

Before Your Appointment

During your initial consultation, Dr. Lee reviews your complete medical history, current medications, and anxiety level to determine the safest and most effective sedation option. For oral sedation, you receive your prescription in advance with instructions to take it one hour before your appointment. You should not eat or drink for several hours beforehand (specific fasting instructions are provided). Arrange for someone to drive you to and from the appointment.

During Your Appointment

Our team monitors your vital signs throughout the procedure, including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. You remain conscious and able to respond, but you feel deeply relaxed. Many patients feel like they’re drifting in and out of a light sleep. Dr. Lee, Dr. Hahn, or Dr. Monahan performs your dental work while you rest comfortably. Time passes quickly, and most patients are surprised when the procedure is over.

After Your Appointment

Nitrous oxide patients can drive home immediately and resume normal activities. Oral sedation patients need a companion to drive them home and should plan to rest for the remainder of the day. The drowsy feeling wears off fully within several hours. Most patients report that the experience was far easier than they anticipated, and many say it changed their relationship with dental care permanently.

Sedation Dentistry Cost and Insurance

Nitrous oxide typically adds $50 to $150 per visit. Oral sedation typically adds $250 to $500 per visit. Some dental insurance plans cover sedation when it is deemed medically necessary, such as for patients with documented anxiety disorders or special needs. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment. For patients without sedation coverage, we offer CareCredit financing and our in-house savings plan. The cost of sedation is small compared to the cost of avoiding dental care for years and facing bigger problems down the road.

Call (480) 732-7874 or request an appointment online to discuss sedation options for your next visit.

Serving Chandler and Surrounding Communities

Our office at 2160 W Chandler Blvd Ste 20 in Chandler, AZ 85224 provides sedation dentistry for patients from Grand Reserve, La Glorieta, Pueblo Santa Fe, Mission Tierra, Rialto Hills, Pecos Ranch, Sun Groves, Ironwood Vistas, Silverton Ranch, Cooper Commons, and surrounding East Valley communities. Many of our sedation patients drive from Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, and Phoenix because comfortable, anxiety-free dental care is worth the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry

Is sedation dentistry safe?

Yes. Dr. Lee is certified in sedation dentistry and monitors your vital signs throughout every sedation procedure. Nitrous oxide has been used safely in dentistry for over 150 years. Oral sedation medications have well-established safety profiles. Your medical history and current medications are reviewed thoroughly before any sedation is administered.

Will I be unconscious during sedation?

No. With both nitrous oxide and oral sedation, you remain conscious and able to respond to your dentist. You feel deeply relaxed and may feel drowsy, but you are not “put under.” General anesthesia (full unconsciousness) is a separate category and is not offered at our office.

Can I drive home after sedation?

After nitrous oxide, yes. The effects wear off within 3 to 5 minutes and you can drive and resume normal activities immediately. After oral sedation, no. You will need someone to drive you home and should plan to rest for the remainder of the day.

How much does sedation dentistry cost?

Nitrous oxide adds $50 to $150 per visit. Oral sedation adds $250 to $500 per visit. Some insurance plans cover sedation when medically necessary. CareCredit financing is available for patients without coverage.

I haven’t been to the dentist in years. Can sedation help?

Absolutely. This is one of the most common reasons patients choose sedation. If you’ve been avoiding the dentist due to fear and need to catch up on care, sedation allows us to complete multiple procedures in fewer appointments while you remain comfortable throughout.

Is sedation available for children?

Yes. Nitrous oxide is safe and effective for pediatric patients. It helps children who are fearful have positive dental experiences that build lifelong comfort with dental care.

Schedule Your Sedation Dentistry Appointment

Fear should never stand between you and a healthy smile. Dr. Scott Lee, Dr. Kelli Hahn, and Dr. Richard Monahan have helped hundreds of Chandler patients overcome dental anxiety with safe, effective sedation options. Whether you need a simple cleaning or an extensive treatment plan, we’ll make sure you’re comfortable every step of the way.

Your first step is a conversation. Tell us about your concerns, and we’ll recommend the sedation option that fits your needs. No judgment, no pressure, just genuine care from a team that understands what you’re going through.

Call Every Smile Chandler at (480) 732-7874 to schedule your appointment, or request your visit online. We’re located at 2160 W Chandler Blvd Ste 20, Chandler, AZ 85224.