Sedation for dental treatment at mydentist

Midazolam is given gradually into a vein in your arm or the back of your hand through a cannula. A cannula is a thin, flexible plastic tube which stays in your vein until you are ready to go home. The cannula is put in with a needle, which is immediately removed. It is normal to feel a scratch when the cannula is put in. The sedation will make you feel more relaxed and less anxious. Once you are sedated local anaesthetic will be used to numb the area being treated and your dentist will complete your planned procedure.

IV sedation is completely safe when administered by a dental care professional. You will be monitored by our team at every stage of your procedure to ensure you are reacting appropriately to the IV sedation.

It's important to follow the guidance given to you by your dentist before your procedure. However, if you are having IV sedation, we would typically recommend that you:

• Eat a light meal no later than 2 hours before your appointment
• Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs from the day before your treatment
• Take any routine medications as normal, unless advised otherwise by your dentist
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes
• Arrange for someone to come with you, they'll need to look after you once your treatment is over

Following treatment, you will spend some time recovering until the dental team are happy to let you go home under the care of your escort. You may feel unsteady on your feet for a few hours following treatment, which is why it's important you have an escort with you to help you after your procedure. Your escort will need to stay with you and ensure you're well looked after.

After IV sedation, it's important that you don't:

• Return to work
• Drive a car or other vehicle, ride a bicycle, or go out on the road
• Consume alcohol or take recreational drugs
• Operate machinery which may harm you (including kitchen equipment)
• Climb heights (e.g. ladders, scaffolding)
• Be responsible until the next day for the care of others
• Make important decisions (e.g. signing legal documents or internet shopping)
• Owing to the aftereffects of the drugs used, care should be taken when using the internet for personal communication

You may also experience a loss of memory during the period of sedation and should avoid making important decisions for 24 hours.

Children can have IV sedation but it's more likely that your child will receive inhalation sedation. We will recommend the type of sedation most suitable for your child as required for their dental treatment.

Charges depend on the treatment required - unless you're under 18 years' old or otherwise exempt from NHS charges.

You'll wear a soft nosepiece and breathe normally throughout your treatment. You may feel a floaty, calming sensation. You'll stay awake and aware, and the effects wear off quickly once the nosepiece is removed.

Inhalation sedation is perfectly safe when performed by experienced dental care professionals. Gas and air leave the body very quickly, so after one or two breaths of ordinary air you'll normally no longer be affected. You should have no adverse effects from using inhalation sedation.

The gases used in inhalation sedation, also known as gas and air, are a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen.

Before having inhalation sedation, you can:

• Eat a light meal before your appointment
• Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs from the day before your treatment
• Take any routine medications as normal, unless advised otherwise by your dentist
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes
• It's good practice to bring someone with you, even though you may be able to leave on your own (depending on individual circumstances)

After inhalation sedation, you should be fine to resume your normal routine as soon as you feel back to normal. You shouldn't need an escort to get home, but we recommend you bring someone with you in case you need any help or support after your treatment.

Inhalation sedation may not be suitable for patients with certain breathing problems or in the first three months of pregnancy.

We will recommend inhalation sedation for your child if they are particularly nervous or require it for their dental treatment. The sedation they inhale will help them feel relaxed and at ease – it may even make them giggle. While your child may feel tired, they'll be awake for their procedure, making it much safer than general anaesthetic.

Charges depend on the treatment required - unless you're under 18 years' old or otherwise exempt from NHS charges.

Conscious sedation is completely safe when administered by a dental care professional. You will be monitored by our team at every stage of your procedure to ensure you are reacting appropriately to the conscious sedation.

Conscious sedation is relatively low risk, in some cases, you can have too much sedation and get too sleepy; however, there are drugs that can be given to reverse your sedation. Your nurse or doctor will always be with you to monitor and talk to you.

Very occasionally, some patients may not be suitable for sedation and the procedure may be performed under local anaesthetic, where possible.