IV Sedation, Explained
For nervous patients and longer treatment: what sedation is, what to expect, and the rules afterwards.
What Is IV Sedation at the Dentist Like?
IV sedation makes you deeply relaxed and drowsy while staying able to respond, and most people remember little of the treatment. It's given through a small cannula and monitored throughout. At St Vincent Smile in Glasgow, IV sedation with Dr Davinder Kalsi is £500 per session, plus £250 for each additional 30 minutes.
What IV Sedation Feels Like
Within a minute or two of the sedative going in you feel calm, heavy and unconcerned, a bit like the moments before sleep. You stay awake in the sense that you can answer questions and open wider when asked, but the worry switches off and time compresses. Most people remember very little of the treatment afterwards and are surprised it's over. It isn't a general anaesthetic: you're breathing for yourself the whole time and you're never unconscious.
How It's Given
Through a small cannula in the back of your hand or arm, which is the only sharp part and takes a few seconds. The sedative is given slowly until you're relaxed enough, then topped up as needed through the appointment. Your breathing, pulse and oxygen levels are monitored throughout by a trained team. Your mouth is numbed with local anaesthetic as usual, so you're comfortable as well as calm. Dr Davinder Kalsi provides the sedation.
Considering Sedation?
Book a free sedation consultation with Dr Kalsi.
Who It Helps
- People with dental anxiety, from mild nerves to real fear, including anyone who has been avoiding the dentist for years
- Longer or more involved treatment, such as implant surgery, full-arch implants or wisdom teeth, where staying relaxed for a couple of hours matters
- A strong gag reflex that makes impressions or back teeth difficult
- Several treatments combined into one visit rather than spread over many
Sedation sits alongside local anaesthetic, never instead of it. For a dental examination, a hygiene visit or a small filling it's rarely needed, and we'll say so.
When It May Not Be Suitable
We check your medical history at the assessment. Pregnancy and breastfeeding, some medical conditions and medicines, and not being able to arrange an adult to take you home are the usual reasons to use another approach, such as splitting treatment into shorter visits with plenty of breaks.
How to Prepare
- Eat a light meal a couple of hours beforehand unless told otherwise; don't come on an empty stomach
- Take your usual medicines unless we've advised otherwise
- Arrange a responsible adult to bring you, wait, and take you home by car or taxi, not public transport
- Wear comfortable clothes with sleeves that push up easily
- Remove nail varnish on at least one finger, because the oxygen monitor clips to a fingertip
- No alcohol the night before, and nothing to drink in the hours before unless we've said it's fine
Afterwards
You'll rest in the practice until you're steady, then go home with your escort and take the rest of the day quietly. For 24 hours, don't drive, drink alcohol, operate machinery, look after small children alone, or sign anything important; the sedative affects judgement for longer than it affects how you feel. By the next day most people are back to normal. We give you written instructions and a number to call.
What It Costs
IV sedation is £500 per session, plus £250 for each additional 30 minutes, on top of the treatment itself. A sedation assessment is part of your free consultation. Treatment of £1,500 or more, including sedation, can be spread with Chrysalis Finance. Our sedation page has more, and our guide to dental anxiety covers the options that don't involve sedation at all.
Questions
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. A dentist needs to examine you to say what is right for your teeth.