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IV Sedation

Why choose to have sedation?

  • Fast-acting relaxation
  • Adjustable sedation level during the procedure
  • Minimal memory of the surgery
  • Increased comfort and reduced anxiety
  • Quicker recovery compared to general anaesthesia
IV Sedation

What is sedation?

Intravenous (IV) sedation is a type of conscious sedation used in oral surgery. It involves administering a sedative medication directly into your bloodstream, helping you relax deeply while remaining responsive. Most patients feel as though they’re asleep and remember little to nothing about the procedure – often described as a ‘twilight sleep’. This offers less risks than general anaesthetic (being ‘put to sleep’).

Sedation can be used for wisdom teeth removal, dental implant surgery, bone grafting, tooth extractions and other complex oral procedures. Whether you have a strong gag reflex, high dental anxiety, or simply want a more comfortable oral surgery experience, IV sedation may be the right choice.

Floret

What does dental sedation involve?

Our dental team is fully trained and certified to provide IV sedation dentistry, using advanced monitoring equipment to track your vital signs throughout the procedure. Before your treatment, we review your medical history, explain the sedation process, and answer any questions you have. We also provide pre-op and post-op instructions.

The sedative is carefully adjusted to your specific needs and administered through a small, flexible tube inserted into a vein in your hand or arm. The calming effects are felt quickly, and you are closely monitored by a qualified professional throughout the entire length of your treatment. Once you are comfortably relaxed, we proceed with your dental procedure, administering local anaesthetic for pain relief only after the sedation has taken effect.

As the effects of the sedation take some time to wear off completely, you will need to ensure someone accompanies you to your appointment and can supervise you for the rest of the day. You will also need someone to take you home. You may feel drowsy or groggy for several hours and should rest, avoiding driving, heavy activity or decision-making, for 24 hours.

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The River Stort in Harlow Essex, the tree lined path

Frequently asked questions

Yes, sedation is safe when administered and monitored by qualified dental professionals. Your safety is our top priority, and our experienced team is fully qualified in sedation techniques. We ensure you understand what will happen during treatment before we begin. As you remain conscious throughout, the risks associated with general anaesthetic are avoided.