IV Sedation Dentistry in Arlington, VA

If dental visits have been something you dread or avoid altogether, you are not alone. At our Arlington dental office, we offer IV sedation for patients who need more than a little reassurance to get through the door. A small line placed in your arm delivers medication that puts you into a deeply relaxed, sleep-like state, so even a long appointment feels like it passes in minutes.

Dr. Kelly Mayer uses IV sedation for two kinds of patients: those whose anxiety has kept them out of the chair for years, and those facing a longer or more involved procedure that is easier to complete in one visit. Your vital signs are monitored the entire time, and the sedation level is adjusted as needed throughout.

Call us at (571) 366-3992 to schedule a consultation.

A Few Things Worth Knowing Upfront

• You'll need to fast beforehand, and a trusted adult needs to drive you home and stay with you for a few hours after. Plan your whole day around that.
• Bring a full list of your medications and supplements to the consultation. What you take can affect how sedation is planned. See what else to bring to a first visit.
• Ask us to bundle your treatment. Sedation often means we can finish several procedures in one visit instead of three or four.

Here's Exactly What to Expect

1. A Health Review and a Plan

Before we schedule anything, we go through your medical history, current medications, any past reactions to anesthesia, and what worries you about dental care. Dr. Mayer confirms IV sedation is a good fit for your health and your treatment, then sends you home with written instructions: how long to fast, what to wear, who's driving.

2. Getting Settled

You arrive, we answer any last questions, and you get comfortable in the chair. Monitors go on so we can keep an eye on your vital signs the whole time. A small IV line is placed, usually in the arm or the back of the hand, and it's over in seconds.

3. The Sedation Takes Hold

Within a few minutes you feel heavy, warm, and deeply relaxed. Most people drift off mentally and stop tracking time or noticing sounds. This is not general anesthesia. You can respond if we ask you something, but you won't be aware of much.

4. Treatment While We Watch Everything

We complete the work. Your oxygen, heart rate, and blood pressure are watched throughout, and we adjust the sedation level as needed. That's what makes long appointments possible. Your body isn't fighting the visit.

5. Waking Up and Heading Home

We stop the sedation and you gradually come back to yourself. You'll rest at the office until we're confident you're steady, then your driver takes you home. Most people remember little or nothing from the appointment, which means the next visit starts without a bad memory attached.

How It Changes the Appointment for You

• It breaks down the barrier. If fear has kept you away for years, sedation is what finally makes treatment possible.
• Fewer appointments. Procedures that would normally mean three or four separate visits can often be grouped into one longer appointment. See the full range on our services page.
• Adjustable as you go. Because the medication is delivered through an IV, we can increase or ease it during the appointment. Oral sedation, once swallowed, cannot be adjusted the same way.

Being deeply relaxed also settles the gag reflex that makes impressions, back teeth, and X-rays uncomfortable. When you are comfortable and still, Dr. Mayer can work with more precision and take her time.

Does This Sound Like You?

IV sedation is usually a good fit when one or more of these sounds like you:

• Dental fear that kicks in well before the appointment and has led you to cancel or put off care
• A strong gag reflex that makes routine treatment hard to get through
• Trouble getting fully numb with numbing injections in the past
• A long or involved plan that would otherwise mean several separate visits
• Difficulty sitting still and staying comfortable for longer appointments

It is not the right choice for everyone. Certain medical conditions, some medications, and pregnancy can make IV sedation a poor fit, which is why we review your health history first. For milder nerves, nitrous oxide is often enough, and oral conscious sedation sits in the middle. Dr. Mayer will always recommend the lightest option that gets you through comfortably, and she will walk you through the reasoning at your consultation.

How the Day Actually Unfolds

Most IV sedation appointments follow the same general pattern across two or three visits.

The consultation

Usually a separate, shorter visit. We go over your health history, talk through what treatment you need, and explain your sedation options and costs. You leave with written instructions and a scheduled date. If you're new to the practice, our new patient page walks through that first appointment.

The treatment appointment

Clear your schedule for the whole day. The dental work itself might run one to three hours depending on what's planned, plus time for IV placement beforehand and rest in the office after.

The rest of that day

Expect to feel groggy. Rest, skip anything that needs focus or steady balance, and follow the eating and medication instructions we send home with you.

The next day and beyond

The sedation will be fully out of your system and most people get back to normal activity. Any remaining recovery depends on the dental procedure itself, and we'll send you home with specific instructions for that.

Getting Ready and Getting Back to Normal

Before the appointment:

• Follow your fasting instructions exactly. Usually that means nothing to eat or drink after midnight, but we will confirm the timing with you beforehand.
• Let us know about every medication and supplement you take, and any health changes since your consultation. If anything is different from your first visit paperwork, just mention it when you arrive.
• Wear comfortable, loose clothing with sleeves that roll up past the elbow. Leave contact lenses and heavy jewelry at home.
• Arrange your ride ahead of time. A trusted adult needs to bring you, take you home, and stay with you for a few hours. A taxi or rideshare will not work here.

After you get home:

• Rest. For the next 24 hours, skip driving, alcohol, cooking, and anything that needs sharp focus or steady balance.
• Once you feel settled, start with water and soft food, then follow the eating instructions we give you for your specific procedure.
• Take any prescribed or recommended medications on the schedule we send home with you.
• It is completely normal to have little memory of the appointment or of things said right after. That is why we put everything in writing and go over it with your driver too.
• If something feels off, please do not wait. The office number is on your paperwork and someone will help you right away.

What It Costs and How to Plan for It

Sedation is priced separately from your dental treatment, and the fee is based on how long you're sedated, which depends on how involved your procedure is. A simple extraction and a multi-hour implant and grafting visit are very different appointments, so we don't publish a flat price.

After your consultation, you'll receive the sedation fee and the treatment fee together, in writing, before anything is scheduled. Insurance coverage for sedation varies by plan and is sometimes available when sedation is considered medically necessary. We'll let you know what your plan may cover and what paperwork can help. If paying everything at once isn't realistic, bring it up at the consultation and we'll walk through the payment options available.

Why Patients Trust Dr. Mayer With Their Hardest Appointments

Dr. Kelly Mayer, DDS brings more than 13 years of clinical experience to every complex case. She trained at the Medical College of Virginia, completed her residency at the University of North Carolina, and holds degrees in biochemistry and studio art from UVA. That mix of science and artistry shapes how she plans treatment and how the results look.

• Everything happens at our Arlington office. No separate facilities, no unfamiliar teams.
• She has donated over $50,000 in free care to patients of the Northern Virginia Free Dental Clinic.
• She speaks French fluently and can walk through consent forms and sedation instructions in French if that is easier for you.

Because complex treatment is handled in-house, your whole plan can often be completed in one sedated visit. You work with the same doctor from consultation to recovery, every time.

FAQs About IV Sedation

Will I Be Unconscious?

No. IV sedation brings on deep relaxation, not full unconsciousness like general anesthesia. You can respond if we speak to you, and most patients remember little or nothing of the appointment.

Is IV Sedation Safe?

Yes, when it's planned carefully and monitored throughout. Before your appointment, we review your medical history, medications, and any past reactions to anesthesia. During treatment, your vital signs are tracked the whole time and the sedation level is adjusted as needed.

Will I Feel Any Pain?

No. We still use a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area, so you won't feel the dental work. The sedation takes care of anxiety and awareness, while the numbing takes care of sensation.

How Is IV Sedation Different From Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is inhaled, takes the edge off, and wears off fast enough that you can drive yourself home. IV sedation is much deeper, requires fasting and a driver, and is the right fit for stronger anxiety or longer, more complex treatment. We offer both at our Arlington office, and you can see the full list on our services page.

Can IV Sedation Be Used for Children?

It depends on the child's age, health, and what treatment is needed. Lighter options are usually the first choice for kids. Bring your questions to a consultation and Dr. Mayer will walk you through what makes sense for your child.

What if I'm Afraid of Needles?

Tell us, because you're not alone. We can numb the skin before placing the IV line, and for some patients a mild oral sedative taken beforehand makes that moment much easier.

Start With a Consultation, Not a Commitment

If you've been putting off a dental problem because the visit itself feels like too much, sedation may be what finally makes today the day. There's no judgment here about how long it's been. A consultation is just a conversation about what's going on, what you're worried about, and which option fits best. Dr. Mayer will walk you through the sedation choices alongside your treatment plan.

We're at 6500 Williamsburg Blvd in Arlington, open weekdays 8:30 to 5. Call (571) 366-3992 or reach out here. Be heard, smile bright, dentistry done right.