IV Sedation at the Dentist
If fear has kept you away from the dentist, or you're facing a longer procedure, IV sedation can make treatment far easier to get through. This guide explains what it is, what it isn't, and exactly what's involved.
Can I Be Sedated for Dental Treatment in Edinburgh?
Yes. Comely Bank Dental in Edinburgh offers IV sedation on site: a sedative given through a small cannula in your hand or arm that leaves you deeply relaxed but still awake and able to respond, so it isn't a general anaesthetic. It's used for nervous patients and for longer procedures such as implants and wisdom tooth removal. You'll need an adult to take you home, and you mustn't drive for 24 hours.
What Is IV Sedation at the Dentist?
IV (intravenous) sedation is a way of having dental treatment while feeling deeply relaxed. A sedative medicine is given through a fine plastic tube, called a cannula, placed in a vein in the back of your hand or your arm. Within a few minutes you feel calm, drowsy and much less bothered by what's going on.
It is a form of conscious sedation. You stay awake throughout, keep breathing on your own, and can respond when we speak to you. It is not a general anaesthetic: you aren't put to sleep, and you don't need a hospital or an anaesthetist.
IV sedation doesn't numb your teeth. We still use local anaesthetic, but it's given once you're relaxed, so many people barely notice it.
At Comely Bank Dental, IV sedation is available on site in Edinburgh. It's overseen by Dr Davinder Kalsi, who has a special interest in sedation, with a trained dental nurse with you throughout.
What Does IV Sedation Feel Like?
Most people describe a pleasant, heavy, floating feeling, as though they've stopped caring about the dentistry. Your limbs may feel warm and your eyelids heavy. Time seems to pass quickly.
Memory. The sedatives commonly used in dentistry often cause partial or complete memory loss for the period of treatment. Many people remember very little, sometimes nothing, of a long appointment. This varies from person to person, and it's not guaranteed.
Responding. You'll still be able to open wider, turn your head and answer simple questions. We'll keep talking to you so you know what's happening.
Afterwards. You'll feel drowsy and a bit unsteady on your feet for a while. Most people are ready to go home within an hour or so of the end of treatment, but the effects on judgement, reactions and coordination last longer than you might expect, which is why the aftercare rules matter.
Ask Us About Sedation
Book an appointment to talk it through. We'll listen to what worries you, check whether sedation is suitable and explain every step before anything is arranged.
Who Is IV Sedation Suitable For?
IV sedation can help if: - Dental anxiety or phobia has stopped you having treatment, or you find dental examinations distressing - You have a strong gag reflex that makes treatment difficult - You're having a long or surgical procedure and would rather be relaxed through it - You've had a bad experience in the past and want to make sure the next one is different - You'd like to have several treatments done in fewer visits
It's generally used for adults. Anxious children are usually helped in other ways, with time, patience and a gentle approach; our children's dentistry page explains more.
Sedation helps you get through treatment, but it doesn't remove the fear itself. Many people find that once they've had a few positive visits, they need sedation less, or not at all, for simpler appointments. Our nervous patients page describes the other ways we help.
Who Isn't IV Sedation Right For?
Sedation is very safe when properly assessed and monitored, but it isn't right for everyone. It may not be suitable, or may need extra precautions or a hospital setting, if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have severe breathing problems, such as poorly controlled COPD or significant sleep apnoea
- Have serious heart, liver or kidney disease, or a medical condition that isn't well controlled
- Have had an allergy or bad reaction to sedative medicines in the past
- Have a history of alcohol or drug dependence
- Take certain medicines that interact with sedatives
- Have a body weight or neck shape that could make breathing harder to manage
- Can't arrange a responsible adult escort
For some people, a general anaesthetic in hospital or a different approach to treatment is safer. If that applies to you, we'll explain why and talk through the alternatives. Please be completely open about your health and any medicines or recreational drugs you take; it's what keeps sedation safe.
What Treatments Is IV Sedation Used For?
IV sedation can be used for almost any dental treatment, but it's most often chosen for:
- Dental implants, from single implants to full-arch treatment
- Wisdom tooth removal and other surgical extractions
- Bone grafting
- Root canal treatment, particularly long appointments
- Several fillings or crowns completed in one longer visit
- Gum treatment for people who find deep cleaning uncomfortable
- Any routine treatment for someone with severe anxiety
For longer, more involved treatment, sedation can make a real difference to how the day feels. For a small filling, many people manage well with local anaesthetic, a stop signal and an unhurried approach, and we'll be honest if we think you don't need sedation.
What Happens Before and on the Day?
The assessment. Sedation is always planned at a separate appointment first. We go through your medical history and medicines, check your blood pressure and oxygen levels, and explain the procedure. You'll get written instructions to take home, and you'll sign a consent form. This is a good time to ask anything at all.
Before the appointment: - Follow the eating and drinking instructions we give you; for most people a light meal a couple of hours beforehand is fine - Take your usual medicines unless we've told you otherwise - Don't drink alcohol on the day - Wear loose clothing with sleeves that roll up easily - Remove nail varnish or gel from at least one finger, so the oxygen monitor works - Leave valuables at home and bring your escort with you
During treatment. The cannula is placed, which feels like a quick scratch, and the sedative is given slowly until you're relaxed. Throughout the appointment, your oxygen level, pulse and blood pressure are monitored, and medicines to reverse the sedation are always to hand.
Afterwards. You rest at the practice until you're ready to leave. The cannula is removed, and we go through your aftercare with you and your escort.
What Are the Escort and Aftercare Rules?
These rules aren't optional. Even when you feel normal, sedation affects your judgement, reactions and memory for the rest of the day.
Your escort must be: - A responsible adult who comes with you, waits or returns to collect you, and takes you home by car or taxi - Able to stay with you for the rest of the day; we may advise overnight
If you arrive without an escort, we can't sedate you, and the appointment has to be rearranged.
For 24 hours after sedation, don't: - Drive a car, ride a bike or operate machinery or kitchen appliances - Drink alcohol - Sign legal documents or make important decisions - Go back to work, or use social media or send messages you might regret - Look after children or other dependants on your own - Take sleeping tablets, unless a doctor has advised them
Rest at home, eat lightly, and follow the separate aftercare advice for your treatment; our aftercare page covers the basics. If you have any concerns that evening, call us on 0131 332 3971 during opening hours, or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours.
How Do You Arrange IV Sedation in Edinburgh?
Get in touch and tell us you'd like to talk about sedation. You can book online or call 0131 332 3971, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm. If you're new to us, our new patients page explains how registering works.
At your first visit, we'll focus on what worries you and what treatment you need, not on rushing you into the chair. If sedation is suitable, we'll arrange the assessment, give you written instructions and agree the fees for your treatment in writing before anything starts.
Our practice is in Comely Bank, a few minutes' walk from Stockbridge, and many of our nervous patients come from around north Edinburgh, including Inverleith, Fettes and the New Town. You don't need a referral from another dentist.
Questions
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. A dentist needs to examine you to say what is right for your teeth.