If the thought of dental treatment fills you with dread, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to grit your teeth through it. Intravenous (IV) sedation is a well-established way of helping anxious patients feel calm and relaxed while we carry out their treatment.
A sedative medicine is given through a small cannula in the back of your hand or arm. Within a few minutes you feel sleepy and deeply relaxed. You stay conscious, breathing on your own and able to respond to us, but most people remember little or nothing of the treatment afterwards.
IV sedation can help if you have dental anxiety or a phobia, a strong gag reflex, or you’re having longer treatment such as dental implants or wisdom tooth removal.
Your sedation is given by a dentist trained in conscious sedation, supported by a dental nurse who has also completed specific sedation training. Dr Naresh Hirani and our dental nurse Corinne Collier provide sedation at the practice. For our most anxious patients we also work with Dr Etienne Deysel, an experienced sedationist with more than 20 years of experience.
Before we book your appointment, we’ll go through your medical history and any medicines you take to make sure sedation is right for you. Throughout your treatment we monitor your breathing, oxygen levels and pulse, and you stay with us until we’re happy you’re ready to go home.
Fee: IV sedation costs £429 per appointment, in addition to the cost of your dental treatment. See all our fees.
Most people describe feeling pleasantly drowsy and not caring very much about what’s going on. Time seems to pass quickly, and a long appointment can feel like a few minutes.
It isn’t the same as a general anaesthetic. We can’t promise you’ll be completely unaware, but many patients can’t tell the difference. Because you stay conscious, it’s a gentler option that we can provide here at the practice rather than in hospital.
Sedation works on anxiety rather than pain, so we still numb the area with local anaesthetic, but by then you’ll be relaxed enough not to mind. Your memory of the time before the sedative is given isn’t affected.
The drowsiness usually wears off within about eight hours. Some people sleep heavily afterwards, and a few still feel a little drowsy the next day. Your mouth may stay numb for a few hours, so take care not to bite your lip or cheek, or burn yourself with hot drinks.
If these instructions aren’t followed, we may not be able to go ahead and may need to rebook, so please call us on 01753 888 000 if anything is unclear.
No. IV sedation is a form of conscious sedation, so you stay awake, breathing on your own and able to respond to us. You’ll feel very relaxed and drowsy, and most people remember little or nothing of the treatment afterwards.
Like any medicine, sedatives carry some risk, but conscious sedation has a very good safety record when it’s carried out by a properly trained team. We check your medical history and medicines beforehand, monitor your breathing, oxygen levels and pulse throughout, and keep you with us until you’re ready to go home.
Sedation takes away the anxiety, and we still use local anaesthetic to numb the area, so treatment should be comfortable. If you feel anything, let us know and we’ll give you more anaesthetic.
Not always. Some medical conditions and medicines, as well as pregnancy, can mean a different approach is better. We’ll go through your health history with you before booking. Please also tell us if you’re breastfeeding.
No. You must be taken home by a responsible adult who can stay with you, and you mustn’t drive, cycle or operate machinery for 24 hours after your sedation.
IV sedation is £429 per appointment, in addition to the cost of your dental treatment. You can see all our prices on our fees page.
Tell us when you call. Your first visit can simply be a chat, with no treatment, so you can meet us and ask questions. You can read more about how we help nervous patients.
Speak to our team today — no pressure, just honest advice.
A fellow dentist — who has dental fears too
“Dr Naresh is really really REALLY good, trust me, I am a dentist. I’m also not the best patient (we have fears too). I lost a tooth on a chicken bone of all things and because I had seen the work of Dr Naresh, I plucked up the courage to see him. He made the process completely comfortable and I was surprised how good it felt the day after. I subsequently referred my mother for a complete upper replacement with 6 implants and a bridge and 2 more in her lower front teeth. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr Naresh Hirani.”
Barry O.★★★★★ Google review
“Naresh has done an amazing job installing my implants. His professionalism, his care and attentiveness made this task so much easier for me. Anyone considering the need for implants but wary of the journey ahead, I would strongly recommend Naresh.”★★★★★ Google review
“I was very apprehensive prior to a filling replacement, but Nick was exemplary. Reassuring, efficient, thorough & kind.”★★★★★ Google review
“I would like to thank Naresh Hirani for my implant treatment. He was amazing, explaining every step of the way. I was really pleasantly surprised how little discomfort I felt. Excellent aftercare too.”★★★★★ Google review
Quick answers from Dr Naresh
Have a question or ready to book an appointment?
Get in touch with our friendly team — we’re here to help.
01753 888000
info@chalfontdentist.co.uk
15 Lower Road Chalfont St Peter Gerrards Cross Buckinghamshire SL9 9AL
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