If the thought of dental surgery makes you anxious, you're far from alone. Conscious sedation helps you feel deeply relaxed while I take care of everything else.
Conscious sedation uses medicine to reduce anxiety and help you relax during treatment. You stay awake, breathe on your own and can respond to simple instructions, but you'll feel far more at ease.
Local anaesthetic is still used to numb the area, so you won't feel pain. Sedation takes care of the nerves, the noises and the sense of time dragging.
We'll recommend the right option based on your procedure, medical history and how anxious you feel.
A sedative medicine is given through a small cannula in the back of your hand or arm. It works within minutes. You'll feel very relaxed, time seems to pass quickly, and many people remember little of the procedure afterwards.
You breathe a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a small nose piece. It takes the edge off within a few minutes, and the effects wear off soon after the nose piece is removed.
You'll get personalised written instructions before your appointment. Always follow those. Here's a general idea of what to expect with IV sedation.
I teach conscious sedation to newly qualified dentists, so safety, monitoring and your comfort are second nature.
Sedation is always delivered by an appropriately trained team, in line with UK guidance, after a careful check of your medical history.
Still unsure? Read conscious sedation explained, or ask me directly.
No. Conscious sedation isn't a general anaesthetic. You'll be awake and able to respond, but deeply relaxed. Many people feel as though they dozed through it.
With IV sedation, many people remember little or nothing of the procedure. With inhalation sedation you're more likely to remember, but feel much calmer about it.
For IV sedation, yes. A responsible adult must accompany you, take you home (not on public transport alone) and stay with you for the rest of the day. We can't go ahead with IV sedation without an escort.
When it's provided by a properly trained team with appropriate monitoring and following UK guidance, conscious sedation has an excellent safety record. Your medical history and medicines are reviewed first to make sure it's right for you.
Most healthy adults can. It may not be suitable during pregnancy, with certain medical conditions, or with some medicines. We'll go through this with you at your consultation.
Tell me what worries you when you enquire. It helps us plan an appointment that feels manageable.