2918 Spencerville Rd, #124Burtonsville, MD 20866 
(301) 421 1118 
The Truth about the Cost of Sedation Dentistry
Cost of Sedation Dentistry and How it Works
If dental anxiety has kept you from getting the care you need, sedation dentistry can help make your experience significantly more comfortable. One of the first questions many patients ask is, “How much does sedation dentistry cost?” The answer depends on several factors, including the type of sedation used, the complexity of your dental procedure, and how long sedation is needed.
At Maryland Sedation Dentist, we offer multiple levels of sedation to meet the needs of each patient, from mild relaxation with nitrous oxide to deeper IV sedation for lengthy or complex procedures. During your consultation, we’ll review your medical history, discuss your treatment plan, and recommend the safest and most appropriate sedation option for your needs.
This guide explains the average cost of each type of sedation, what influences pricing, insurance considerations, and what you can expect before, during, and after treatment.
Average Sedation Dentistry Costs by Type
Sedation dentistry is not a one-size-fits-all service. Different forms of sedation provide different levels of relaxation, require different levels of training and monitoring, and vary in cost.
The table below provides general pricing ranges.
| Sedation Type | Typical Cost* | Best For |
| Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) | $150–$250 for the first hour, plus additional fees for extended appointments | Mild dental anxiety and shorter procedures |
| Oral Sedation | Approximately $400–$700 | Moderate dental anxiety and longer appointments |
| IV Sedation | Approximately $500–$1,000 per hour | Severe dental anxiety, dental implants, oral surgery, and complex procedures |
| General Anesthesia | $1,200+ per hour | Hospital-based care or select medically necessary cases |
*These figures are general estimates. Your treatment cost will depend on your individual treatment plan and the length of your procedure.
What to Expect with Sedation Dentistry Video
Meet Dr. Adams
Dr. Adams is our sedation dentist. He will meet with you personally to determine what level of sedation you need.
He will see whether you need twilight anesthesia or full IV sedation. Dr Adams is one of few dentists in the Washington-Baltimore area who sedates people for regular dental work as well.
We offer a full range of services ranging from filling cavities and replacing a full set of teeth with dental implants. “It is amazing how well people do and how well they heal when they are calm and comfortable throughout their dental procedure.”
Contact us today for a no cost sedation dentistry consultation.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) Costs
Nitrous oxide—commonly called laughing gas—is the most affordable form of dental sedation and one of the most commonly used. It’s ideal for patients with mild dental anxiety or those undergoing shorter procedures such as fillings, crowns, or routine restorative care.
The gas is inhaled through a comfortable nasal mask, allowing you to relax while remaining awake and responsive throughout treatment. Because the effects wear off within minutes after the gas is discontinued, most patients can safely drive themselves home afterward.
Nitrous oxide is often recommended because it offers several advantages:
- Quick onset and recovery
- Mild, adjustable relaxation
- No lingering drowsiness for most patients
- No fasting requirements in many cases
- Lower cost than deeper forms of sedation
For patients who simply need help taking the edge off their anxiety, nitrous oxide provides an effective and economical solution.
Oral Sedation Costs
Nitrous Oxide is also called laughing gas. They are both forms of “twilight sedation.” Twilight can be used in cases where there is mild to moderate dental anxiety.
The cost of nitrous oxide is usually $150-$200 for the first hour and $25 – $50 per 15 minute increment thereafter. Nitrous is ideal for shorter appointments where people are somewhat anxious.
Laughing gas sets in quickly and wears off quickly with no “hang-over” effect. In fact the gas wears off so quickly that recovery is complete within 15-20 minutes.
The risks of nitrous oxide complications are very and it is very safe, convenient and inexpensive. One nice feature of nitrous is that is does not require a patient to avoid eating and drinking before their appointment. And the patient can even drive themselves home after their appointment.
Oral Sedation Costs
The costs of oral sedation is $500 per hour. Most patients in our office do not opt for oral sedation because it is nearly as expensive as full IV sedation. And IV sedation is more predictable and safer than oral.
Oral sedatives are much more difficult to reverse without an IV in place for quick administration of reversal drugs.
IV Sedation Costs
IV sedation provides the deepest level of conscious sedation available in most dental offices and is often recommended for patients with severe dental anxiety or those undergoing extensive treatment. Medication is delivered directly through an intravenous (IV) line, allowing your dentist to adjust the level of sedation throughout your procedure for maximum comfort and safety.
IV sedation typically costs between $500 and $1,000 per hour, with additional fees possible for procedures lasting longer than the initial hour. While it has a higher upfront cost than nitrous oxide or oral sedation, many patients find the investment worthwhile because multiple procedures can often be completed during a single appointment.
IV sedation is commonly recommended for:
- Full-mouth dental implant procedures
- Multiple tooth extractions
- Complex restorative dentistry
- Extensive cosmetic dental treatment
- Patients with severe dental anxiety or dental phobia
- Individuals with a strong gag reflex
Many patients remember little or nothing about their appointment, making IV sedation a popular choice for those who have avoided dental care because of fear. Because the medication takes time to wear off, you’ll need someone to drive you home after your procedure.
General Anesthesia Costs
General anesthesia is the deepest level of sedation and is very different from conscious sedation. Unlike IV sedation, patients are completely unconscious and require continuous monitoring of their breathing and vital signs throughout treatment.
Because of the specialized equipment, additional personnel, and higher level of care required, general anesthesia is typically the most expensive sedation option. Costs often begin around $1,200 per hour and may be higher depending on the complexity of the procedure and treatment setting.
General anesthesia is generally reserved for:
- Certain hospital-based dental procedures
- Patients with complex medical needs
- Extensive oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Situations where other forms of sedation are not appropriate
For most dental procedures, IV sedation provides excellent comfort while allowing treatment to be completed safely in an outpatient dental office.
What Affects the Cost of Sedation Dentistry?
The type of sedation you choose is only one factor that influences the overall cost of treatment. Several additional considerations determine your personalized estimate.
Length of Your Procedure
Sedation is often billed according to the amount of time it is required. Longer appointments generally require additional medication, monitoring, and clinical staff time, which can increase the total cost.
Complexity of Treatment
Simple procedures, such as fillings or crowns, typically require less sedation than full-mouth rehabilitation, dental implant surgery, or multiple extractions. More complex procedures often require deeper sedation and longer appointment times.
Level of Monitoring
Deeper forms of sedation require advanced monitoring equipment and specially trained dental professionals. Continuous observation of your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and breathing helps ensure your safety throughout treatment and contributes to the overall cost.
Dentist Training and Credentials
Administering IV sedation requires extensive education, state licensing, and ongoing training. Dentists who provide advanced sedation services must meet strict safety standards and maintain specialized certifications, making this level of care more complex than routine dental treatment.
Geographic Location
Dental treatment costs can vary depending on where you receive care. Local operating expenses, staffing costs, and regional demand all influence pricing, which is why sedation fees may differ from one area to another.
Sedation During Dental Implant Procedures
Dental implant treatment is one of the most common reasons patients choose IV sedation. Procedures such as multiple implant placements, bone grafting, and full-mouth implant reconstruction can often be completed during a single comfortable appointment.
Rather than returning for numerous shorter visits, many patients appreciate having extensive treatment performed while they remain deeply relaxed. This can make the experience less stressful and more efficient for both the patient and the dental team.
In some comprehensive implant cases, the value of completing multiple procedures during one visit may help offset some of the overall treatment costs by reducing the number of separate appointments required. During your consultation, we’ll explain whether sedation is recommended for your procedure and how it fits into your personalized treatment plan.
Sedation Dentistry for Anxious Patients
Dental anxiety affects millions of people and is one of the leading reasons patients postpone or avoid dental care. For some, the fear is mild and manageable. For others, even scheduling an appointment can feel overwhelming.
Sedation dentistry helps create a more relaxed experience by reducing anxiety before and during treatment. Depending on the level of sedation you receive, you may feel calm, sleepy, or have little memory of the procedure afterward.
Sedation may be a good option if you:
- Experience moderate to severe dental anxiety or dental phobia
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Need extensive dental work completed in fewer appointments
- Have difficulty sitting comfortably for long procedures
- Have had negative dental experiences in the past
- Feel anxious about needles, drills, or dental sounds
By helping patients remain relaxed, sedation often allows treatment to be completed more efficiently while creating a much more positive dental experience.
Insurance and Financing Considerations
Dental insurance coverage for sedation dentistry varies depending on your provider and the reason sedation is recommended.
Some insurance plans may provide partial coverage when sedation is considered medically necessary, such as for certain oral surgery procedures or patients with specific medical conditions. However, many plans do not cover sedation used solely to reduce dental anxiety.
Coverage may also differ depending on the type of sedation. For example, nitrous oxide may be handled differently than IV sedation or general anesthesia.
Before beginning treatment, our team can help you understand your benefits and explain any estimated out-of-pocket costs. If insurance does not cover your recommended sedation option, financing may help make treatment more manageable by spreading costs into affordable monthly payments.
Our goal is to help every patient receive the care they need without unnecessary financial surprises.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
When administered by qualified professionals, sedation dentistry has an excellent safety record. Before recommending any form of sedation, your dentist will carefully review your medical history, current medications, allergies, and overall health to determine which option is most appropriate.
During treatment, specially trained team members continuously monitor important vital signs, including:
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Oxygen levels
- Breathing
- Overall comfort
Different levels of sedation require different levels of monitoring. For example, IV sedation requires advanced equipment and additional training because the medication is delivered directly into the bloodstream and adjusted throughout the procedure.
At Maryland Sedation Dentist, patient safety is always our highest priority. Every treatment plan is customized to the individual, and sedation is administered according to established clinical guidelines to help ensure a safe and comfortable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry Costs
The cost depends on the type of sedation, the length of your procedure, and the complexity of your treatment. Nitrous oxide is generally the most affordable option, while IV sedation and general anesthesia typically cost more because they require advanced monitoring and specialized training.
For many patients, yes. IV sedation allows extensive dental treatment to be completed comfortably in fewer appointments while helping patients with severe dental anxiety feel relaxed throughout the procedure. Many patients also remember very little about their treatment afterward.
In most cases, yes. Nitrous oxide is typically the most affordable form of dental sedation and works well for patients with mild anxiety or shorter dental procedures. Because the effects wear off quickly, most patients can drive themselves home afterward.
Coverage varies by insurance provider and plan. Some policies may cover sedation when it’s considered medically necessary, while others provide little or no benefit for sedation used primarily to manage dental anxiety. Our team can help review your benefits before treatment begins.
Many patients choose financing to help spread the cost of treatment into manageable monthly payments. During your consultation, we’ll discuss available payment options and answer any questions you have about budgeting for your care.
The best option depends on your anxiety level, medical history, the complexity of your procedure, and your personal comfort preferences. After evaluating your needs, your dentist will recommend the safest and most appropriate form of sedation for your treatment.
Yes. One of the biggest advantages of IV sedation is that it often allows several procedures to be completed during a single visit. This can reduce the number of appointments needed and make extensive treatment more convenient for many patients.
That depends on the type of sedation you receive. Nitrous oxide and oral sedation help you relax while remaining conscious. IV sedation places most patients in a deeply relaxed, dream-like state, and many remember very little of the procedure afterward. General anesthesia is the only option that renders patients completely unconscious.
Schedule Your Sedation Dentistry Consultation
If dental anxiety has prevented you from getting the care you need, sedation dentistry may help you feel more comfortable and confident about treatment. At Maryland Sedation Dentist, we’ll explain your sedation options, answer your questions about costs, and recommend the approach that’s best suited to your needs and oral health.
Whether you’re interested in nitrous oxide for a routine procedure or IV sedation for dental implants or more complex treatment, our experienced team is committed to providing safe, personalized care in a calm and supportive environment.
Contact Maryland Sedation Dentist today to schedule your consultation and learn which sedation option is right for you.
I COULDN’T GET MY LAST WISDOM TOOTH PULLED OUTAT MY DENTIST BECAUSE I FELT LIKE I WAS CHOKING DUE TO POST NASAL DRIP. I ALSO HAVE SLEEP APNEA. SHE SAID I WOULD NEED TO GO TO A DENTISTAL SURGEON AND PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR SEDATION. WOULD I QUALIFY TO GET IT DONE DUE TO MY MEDICAL ISSUES. ALSO WHAT IS THE COST?
March 5, 2024 at 3:49 pmI HAVE A GUM DISEASE AND PLACK I WANTED TO BE PUT TO SLEEP. THE SURGEON TOLD ME I WAS TOO OLD DONT KNOW IF SHE WAS JOKING BUT I HAD LOCAL, MY GUMS WERE NOT NUM ENOUGH AND I TOLD HER, SHE PULLED MY TEETH ANYWAY THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE. WHY WAS I NOT PUT TO SLEEP
February 21, 2024 at 1:00 amGood afternoon Do you guys accept Delta Dent PPO insurance??
July 26, 2023 at 5:37 pmWhat would be my deductible for a root canal??
Do you offer IV sedation for this procedure? I don’t deal ok with this situations.
Thank you
I have PTSD from a childhood dentist. I have 2 molars broken off at the gum and one that should could come out easily. I’ll have to have IV sedation for everyone to survive this. I need a lower denture. I have no insurance. I’ll be paying out of pocket. Could you give me a ballpark estimate?
May 21, 2023 at 8:22 amI have PTSD from a childhood dentist. I have 2 molars broken off at the gum and one that should could come out easily. I need a lower denture. I have no insurance. I’ll be paying out of pocket. Could you give me a ballpark estimate?
May 21, 2023 at 8:20 amHello my name is Jade and I need some teeth removed but I would like to be put to sleep for it to be done but my dentist won’t put me to sleep for the tooth removal but I am petrified of needles so the dentist would have to put me to sleep to get the teeth that are needing removed as I will not let them go anywhere near my mouth or my teeth when I am awake, how much would I have to pay my dentist to put me to sleep for the work to be carried out
February 25, 2023 at 9:32 amWe have permanent upper and lower implants for an all in cost of approximately $50K or we have a full mouth removable program for snap on dentures for about $35K. Both include the sedation. Thanks for the inquiry.
January 8, 2023 at 2:24 pmI have serious gum disease issues. My remaining teeth and two front implants must be remove for upper and lower implants. I’m looking to be sedated. Please give me a cost analysis includes this sedation so I can put this in my bucket list.
October 1, 2022 at 8:04 pmi need all teeth pulled out eroded into infections and in gum break offs. they are horible. pls give me A BALLPARK IV SEDAION TO PUL ALL OUT AT ONE TIME. I HAVE PTSD HIGH ANXIETY NEED TO FIND MOST AFFORDABLE WAY TO OBTAIN DENTURES. PLD ADVISE DENTURES AVAILABLE IF WHITE COLORS AND COSTS.NO INSURANCE PAYING FROM CREDIT CARD.
August 29, 2022 at 6:01 pmMy wife has FRONTAL TEMPORAL DEMENTIA, I
need to have examination and clraning. I have Delta Dental.
Estimate the cost please.
October 6, 2021 at 4:50 pmI need my remaining teeth removed and complete mouth of implants, under anesthesia possibly one day process ? So pulling 14 teeth and then the implant.
July 26, 2021 at 2:28 pmI have dentures top and bottom what would the price be for dental sedation
January 3, 2021 at 12:42 am