Both oral and IV sedation reduce anxiety and help ease patients into a state of relaxation for comfortable dental care. Oral medications are taken by mouth, usually 1 hour before the appointment, and are very effective for simple dental procedures like cleanings, cavities, and root canals. IV (Intravenous) sedation requires an experienced dentist to place an IV line in a vein and provides a deeper relaxation for more extensive dental care requiring longer appointments.