If you are anxious about visiting the dentist or have a dental phobia, intravenous sedation can help you feel deeply relaxed, helping you get the treatment you may have otherwise avoided.

This type of sedation, delivered intravenously, eliminates your fears but you still remain conscious and able to communicate with the dentist. You will also remember little about the experience following treatment.

Treatment steps

• The dentist will carefully assess your general health including checking your blood pressure, weight and oxygen levels.
• The calming drug is delivered gradually through a soft plastic tube which is inserted in the back of your hand or arm with a fine needle and safely secured. You will be closely monitored at all times and sedation is only carried out by highly qualified staff.
• If necessary, you will also have a local anaesthetic but this will usually be administered once you are completely relaxed.

The effects of sedation will take several hours to wear off so you will need someone to take you home and look after you.