Will I Be Asleep During Dental Sedation? What IV Sedation Really Feels Like

If the thought of the dentist makes your stomach turn, you have probably wondered about sedation. And the first question nearly everyone asks is the same: will I be asleep during dental sedation?

The short answer is no, not in the way you would be under a general anaesthetic. But most people are surprised by how little they notice, and how little they remember afterwards. At Advance Dental Care, we look after nervous patients from Barry and across Cardiff every week. Here is an honest guide to what sedation is really like.

Will I be asleep during dental sedation?

Dental sedation in a practice setting is known as conscious sedation. That means you stay awake enough to breathe on your own, hear us and respond if we ask you to open a little wider. What changes is how you feel about it. The worry fades, time seems to pass quickly, and the sounds and sensations that normally bother you stop mattering.

Many patients tell us afterwards that they “slept through it”. In reality they were deeply relaxed and drowsy rather than unconscious. The sedative commonly affects memory, so much of the appointment may be hazy or missing altogether. That is why it can feel as though you were asleep, even though you were not.

This is different from a general anaesthetic, where you are fully unconscious and need help with your breathing. General anaesthesia for dentistry is only carried out in hospital.

What does IV sedation feel like?

IV stands for intravenous. The sedative is given through a small, thin tube placed in a vein in your arm or the back of your hand. Here is what most people experience, step by step.

A small scratch. Placing the tube takes a few seconds. If needles are part of your fear, tell us and we will talk through ways to make this easier.

A wave of calm. Within a minute or two you start to feel warm, heavy and settled. Some people describe it as the feeling just before you drift off on the sofa.

Time speeds up. An hour in the chair can feel like ten minutes. You may be aware of voices, but they seem distant and unimportant.

No pain. Sedation relaxes you, but it is not a painkiller. Once you are calm, we numb the area with local anaesthetic as usual, so you should not feel pain during treatment.

A gentle wake-up. When we finish, you rest with us until you are steady on your feet. You will feel drowsy and a bit woolly for the rest of the day.

Oral sedation is another option. You take a tablet before your appointment, which takes the edge off your nerves. It is milder and less adjustable than IV sedation, so it tends to suit mild to moderate anxiety. You can read more about IV sedation at our Barry practice.

Is dental sedation safe?

For most people, yes. Conscious sedation has a long track record in UK dentistry and is tightly regulated. Several things keep it safe:

• A proper assessment first. We go through your medical history, medicines and any health conditions before recommending sedation.
• A tailored dose. With IV sedation the medicine is given slowly, a little at a time, until you are comfortably relaxed.
• Constant monitoring. Your oxygen levels and pulse are checked throughout, and a trained team member stays with you the whole time.
• Supervised recovery. You do not leave until we are happy you are ready to go home with your escort.

Sedation is not right for everyone. It may be unsuitable if you are pregnant, have certain breathing, heart, liver or kidney conditions, or take particular medicines. Side effects are usually mild, such as drowsiness, a little unsteadiness or a small bruise where the tube was placed. We will always be upfront about whether it is a safe choice for you.

Who is sedation for?

Sedation can help if you:

• have a strong fear of the dentist or have avoided appointments for years
• have had a bad experience in the past
• have a strong gag reflex or find it hard to stay still
• need a longer or more involved treatment, such as extractions or several fillings in one visit

If that sounds familiar, you are far from alone. Find out more about our sedation dentistry options, or visit our page for nervous dental patients to see the other ways we keep visits calm and comfortable.

Before and after your appointment

Before

• Follow the eating and drinking instructions we give you at your assessment.
• Take your usual medicines unless we advise otherwise.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing with sleeves that roll up easily.
• Arrange for a responsible adult to bring you, take you home and stay with you.

After

• Rest for the remainder of the day.
• For 24 hours, do not drive, cycle, drink alcohol, operate machinery, or sign anything important.
• Avoid looking after young children on your own until the next day.

Quick Answers

Will I feel any pain?

You should not. Sedation deals with the anxiety and local anaesthetic deals with the pain.

Will I remember anything?

Most people remember very little with IV sedation, and some remember nothing at all. It varies from person to person.

Can I go back to work afterwards?

No. Plan to take the rest of the day off and return to normal activities the following day.

How long does it take to wear off?

You will feel alert enough to go home fairly soon after treatment, but the effects can linger for up to 24 hours.

Talk to us about dental sedation

Being frightened of the dentist is nothing to be embarrassed about, and it does not have to stop you getting the care you need. A relaxed chat with our team is the best way to find out whether sedation is right for you.

Call our Barry practice on 01446 488 658 to book a consultation with Advance Dental Care. We are easy to reach from Cardiff and the surrounding area.