Conscious Sedation is an exceptionally safe method, with a long history of facilitating dental treatment for nervous patients. However, your dental team will go through your previous medical history with you beforehand to ensure that this procedure is suitable for you. Our clinical team are certifiably trained to deliver specialist sedation procedures, and they will closely monitor you throughout treatment and provide the safest effective dose of the medication so you are never at risk. 

You must ensure you answer all questions at your initial consultation honestly, and let your dentist know of any changes to your medical history or medications, as certain patients should not undergo treatment under IV sedation – for example, patients who are pregnant; have respiratory problems; high blood pressure; or a severe systemic disease must disclose this to their dentist when asked. 

Unlike with general anaesthesia - which uses a combination of medications to put patients into a state of controlled unconsciousness - under Dental Sedation you are awake during your treatment, though in a drowsy, relaxed, dream-like state. Time will appear to pass very quickly, and many patients report feeling like they have just woken up from a refreshing nap once the effects of sedation have worn off. 

General anaesthesia is only available in a hospital setting, making the waiting lists for such appointments incredibly long, especially for non-specialist procedures. Recovery times following general anaesthesia are also longer, including longer term effects of that method of sedation, all of which makes dental Conscious Sedation a highly effective, safe alternative for patients with dental anxiety who need high-quality, restorative, preventative, or cosmetic treatment now. 

Dental Sedation is used to put you into a calm, anxiety, and worry-free state of mind to make your treatment an easy and enjoyable experience. This includes helping patients to relax who have a fear of needles, who would usually find it difficult to tolerate the local anaesthetic given before starting a dental procedure. Your dentist will ensure you do not feel any pain during your treatment by numbing your mouth with this local anaesthetic once the effects of your sedation have commenced. 

Yes, this is a safety requirement for your dentist to be able to proceed with your scheduled procedure on the day of your appointment. If you have not organised a responsible adult (over the age of 18) to escort you from the clinic after your procedure is complete, who can take you home via car or taxi, and stay with you for the 24 hours immediately following your appointment, then we will not be able to carry out your treatment on that day. 

Absolutely, at Truly we offer a number of low to high intervention methods to relax and calm even the most anxious patient before their dental appointment. We strive to create and foster a relaxing, welcoming environment for all our patients, which includes first-class comfort and amenities in every waiting area and surgery. We aim to put you at ease from the moment you step through our doors.

For patients requiring targeted relief of mental or physical discomfort during their treatment, one approach involves oral medicine which we can prescribe and administer to patients with heightened dental anxiety. This method of sedation is not as strong as IV administered sedation, and can be more suitable for patients who are easily made worried or uncomfortable by lengthy or even routine dental treatments, so that we can ensure they have as comfortable and effective a visit as possible. Much like with IV sedation, following dental care under oral sedation the patient will soon after regain alertness feeling calm and refreshed.

Another method of sedation is the use of nitrous oxide, often called ‘laughing gas.’ This option also helps relieve anxiety and lighten the mood, and as the least intensive medication of the three, this particular method is more often employed with children and teens who experience dental worry or fear. However, it can also be the right choice for patients of any age who simply need a little help relaxing completely during their dental procedure. 

Your dentist will always discuss with you during your initial consultation what form of Dental Sedation is appropriate for you, so that you can attend for your care in complete confidence that your experience will be 100% stress and anxiety-free. 

In some cases, yes. You should take a list of your medications with you to your initial consultation, and at this visit your dentist will be able to discuss with you whether Dental Sedation is suitable for you based on your medical history and any related counter indications from your medications, among other factors. 

The effects of the sedation will begin to wear off an hour after your treatment is completed. However, it will take until the next morning (24 hours from the time your procedure ended) for it to completely leave your system. You should follow the advice for aftercare, supervision, and activities to avoid during this period given to you by your dentist at your appointment.