text: does sedation dentistry really work?  it sounds too good to be true!!? i am extremely phobic of the dentists due to a very terrifying experience when i was younger.  i haven't been to the dentist for quite sometime, and i need to have some dental work done.  i think i need a root canal, some fillings, and i definitely need a cleaning.  i have an appointment with a sedation dentist on wednesday to see what all i need done.  according to his website, he gives you a pill, and you sleep through the treatment.  is this true?  does it really work? i work for an oral surgeon who does sedation dentistry.  it definitely works, but there is no pill that will put you to sleep.  we give people valium to relax them, then start an iv and put people all the way to sleep.  it is a painless way to have dental work done, but it is extremely expensive compared to regular dentistry, in that you have to pay for the anesthesia and the insurance it requires.