Skokie Sedation Dentist for Anxious Patients
If fear has kept you away from the dentist for years, oral conscious sedation and IV sedation let you get the care done in one calm visit.
Written by the My Dental Hub team. Medically reviewed by Dr. Ahmed M. Alsayed, DDS. Last reviewed: September 2026.
Sedation dentistry in Skokie for the visit you have been putting off
If it has been five years, or fifteen, since your last dental visit, nobody here is going to ask why. Many patients who come to us for sedation have a specific reason: a bad experience as a child, a strong gag reflex, a fear of needles, or simply too much to fix to face it awake.
Sedation dentistry uses medication to keep you calm and comfortable during dental treatment while our team monitors you throughout. At My Dental Hub in Skokie, we offer two options: oral conscious sedation and IV (moderate) sedation.
Choosing a Skokie sedation dentist is mostly a question of what is available under one roof. Here, sedation, wisdom teeth removal, implants, and restorative work happen in the same Old Orchard office, so a long-delayed treatment plan can be finished in fewer visits.
What are the sedation options at My Dental Hub?
Two levels are available, and the right one depends on your anxiety, the procedure, and your health history. Local anesthetic is still used with both, so the treated area is numb as well.
Oral conscious sedation
You take a prescribed sedative pill before your appointment. By the time treatment starts you feel relaxed and drowsy; many people doze, but you can still respond to questions. It suits mild to moderate anxiety, the cleanings and fillings you have been avoiding, and single procedures such as a crown or a straightforward extraction.
IV (moderate) sedation
Medication is delivered through a small line in your arm or hand, so the level can be adjusted during treatment. You reach a deeper state of relaxation, and most patients remember little or nothing of the appointment. It suits severe anxiety, wisdom teeth removal, implant placement, and long appointments that combine several procedures.
Who is a good candidate?
Most healthy adults with dental anxiety are candidates for sedation. It’s most often recommended when you:
- Avoid the dentist: you have delayed care for years because of fear or a past experience.
- Gag easily: impressions, X-rays, or work on back teeth set off a gag reflex.
- Need a lot done: several fillings, crowns, or extractions can be grouped into one or two sedated visits.
- Face surgery: wisdom teeth, implant placement, or bone grafting.
- Struggle to get numb: local anesthetic alone has not been enough in the past.
- Have trouble sitting still: because of a movement disorder, back pain, or restlessness.
We review your medical history and current medications before recommending either option. Certain heart, lung, or liver conditions and some medications mean we adjust the plan or choose the lighter level.
How we keep sedation safe
Safety comes down to screening and monitoring. Before your appointment we review your health history, medications, and allergies, and confirm which level of sedation is appropriate for you.
During treatment, your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen level are monitored continuously by our team, and someone stays with you the entire time. Afterward, you recover in the office until you are ready to leave with your driver.
How to prepare for a sedation appointment
We will give you written instructions specific to your sedation level. In general, plan to:
- Arrange a driver: a responsible adult must bring you, stay nearby, and take you home.
- Follow the fasting instructions: IV sedation requires an empty stomach for several hours beforehand; we will tell you exactly how long.
- Bring your medication list: include prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements.
- Wear comfortable clothing: short sleeves make the IV easier, and loose layers help you relax.
- Clear the rest of your day: no work, driving, or important decisions until the next morning.
Sedation for wisdom teeth, implants, and longer visits
Sedation and surgery happen in the same office with the same team, so wisdom teeth removal and implant placement can be done under sedation here without a referral to another office. Our in-house oral surgeon, Dr. Alsayed, has a particular focus on patients with dental anxiety and walks through the sedation options at your consultation. If you need several restorations, ask about grouping them into one sedated appointment.
Why patients choose My Dental Hub for sedation
- No judgment: a long gap since your last visit is a starting point, not a problem.
- Your language: our team speaks English, Arabic, Russian, Ukrainian, and Spanish.
- One office: sedation, surgery, and restorative work happen here, with an in-house oral surgeon and an in-house prosthodontist.
- Same-day when possible: if pain is what finally brought you in, we keep room for same-day emergency visits and see first-time patients.
Frequently asked questions
How much does sedation cost, and does insurance cover it?
Sedation cost depends on the level you choose and the length of the appointment. We go over the cost at your consultation, and whether your insurance covers sedation depends on your plan. We are in-network with Aetna, Ameritas, Blue Cross, Cigna, Dental Health Alliance, Guardian, Humana, MetLife, Sun Life, United Concordia, and UnitedHealthcare.
Without insurance, the My Dental Hub Membership Plan ($199.99 a year for an adult) takes up to 50% off major treatments such as extractions, implants, crowns, and root canals, and financing is available for larger plans.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Yes, for patients who are properly screened. We review your medical history and medications first, monitor your vital signs throughout, and stay with you until you are recovered enough to leave. Side effects are usually limited to drowsiness, and occasionally nausea or a dry mouth, for the rest of the day.
Will I remember the appointment, and how long does the sedation last?
With oral conscious sedation, you will probably remember parts of it in a hazy way, and the drowsiness lasts several hours. With IV sedation, most patients remember little or nothing, and the medication wears off faster once it stops. With either option, plan on a quiet afternoon; you will feel groggy for the rest of the day.
Do I need someone to drive me home?
Yes, with both options. An adult must drive you home and should stay with you for a few hours afterward. This is a requirement, not a suggestion, and we will confirm it when you book.
How do I get started with a Skokie sedation dentist?
Book a consultation online or call or text (847) 674-2463 and tell us you are interested in sedation. The first visit is an exam and a conversation about what you need and which option fits; no treatment happens until you are ready.
When you are ready to learn more about available dental services, we invite you to schedule an appointment at our dental office near you. My Dental Hub offers the customized care that you need to maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. We serve patients in Skokie, IL, and all of the surrounding communities. Call our office to talk to our team, or fill out our online scheduling form to book your appointment.