Plenty of people find the dentist hard. Start with a conversation. If you need more help, we’ll talk about sedation.
Open Monday to Saturday
Tell us what worries you: needles, the sounds, gagging, a bad experience, or how long it’s been. We explain each step before we start, agree a signal for stopping, and pause when you need us to.
For many people that’s enough. For some, sedation is what makes treatment possible.
We offer three kinds. Your dentist goes through them with you and recommends what suits you and the treatment.
Breathed in through a small mask over your nose. It takes the edge off, and you stay fully awake and able to talk to us.
A tablet you take before your appointment, which makes you feel drowsy and relaxed. It suits mild to moderate anxiety.
Sedation through a drip in your arm, for a deeper level of relaxation. You stay awake and can respond to us, and many people remember little afterwards.
With all three, you’re not asleep. Being fully asleep means a general anaesthetic in hospital, and we can refer you if that suits you better.
We go through your health and medicines first. Some conditions, medicines and pregnancy rule some options out.
Such as removing a wisdom tooth or root canal treatment.
Like any dental treatment, this carries risks, and results vary from person to person. Read the risks below and ask us about your situation before you decide.
Drowsiness afterwards.
Expect to feel sleepy and unsteady for the rest of the day after oral or IV sedation.
Nausea or a headache.
Usually short-lived.
Slowed breathing.
Sedation can slow your breathing, which is why you’re monitored throughout and why some health conditions rule it out.
Bruising where the drip went in.
Gaps in memory.
Many people remember little of the appointment. Some find that unsettling.
Someone takes you home.
And stays with you for the rest of the day after IV sedation.
No driving or alcohol.
Until the next day, or as your dentist advises.
Rest.
Plan nothing else for the day.
After inhaled sedation.
It wears off quickly, and you can usually drive yourself home.
Sedation is charged on top of the treatment, and depends on the kind and how long you need it.
Fees depend on the treatment you need, so we give you an accurate quote at your consultation, before anything starts.
Cover for sedation varies between funds. Ask yours what it pays for the item numbers on your quote.
Costs and health fundsYour dentist goes through the options with you first, and any of our dentists can see you to talk it through. If you’d like Dr Rachel Brown, who enjoys working with anxious patients, ask for her when you call.
Something else on your mind? Ask us on the phone, or leave your number and we’ll call.
Request a callbackNo. With oral or IV sedation you stay awake and can respond to us, though many people remember little afterwards. With inhaled sedation you stay fully awake. Being fully asleep means a general anaesthetic in hospital.
Sleep dentistry is an older name for sedation. We don’t use it, because with sedation you’re not asleep.
It depends on the kind. For IV sedation you’ll need to fast for a set time beforehand. We’ll tell you exactly what and when.
Not after oral or IV sedation: someone needs to take you home. After inhaled sedation, you can usually drive yourself home once it has worn off.
Usually, yes. Sedation helps you relax; a local anaesthetic numbs the tooth. We give it once you’re relaxed.
Most everyday treatment, including fillings, root canal treatment and taking teeth out, wisdom teeth included. It also helps with a first visit back after a long gap. Your dentist will tell you which option suits the treatment you need.
No. Some health conditions, medicines, pregnancy and breathing problems rule out some options. We’ll go through your health history before suggesting anything.
That’s a good place to start. Book a visit to talk it through. Nothing happens unless you want it to.
Yes. Inhaled sedation is breathed in through a small mask over your nose: it takes the edge off and you stay fully awake. It wears off quickly, so you can usually drive yourself home.
After oral or IV sedation, expect to feel sleepy and unsteady for the rest of the day, and some people have nausea or a headache that soon passes. Sedation can also slow your breathing, which is why our team monitors you throughout. We go through your health history before suggesting anything.
