Dental Sedation
Supporting Nervous Patients with Confidence
Helping you feel calm, relaxed and in control throughout your dental treatment.
Dental anxiety is more common than many people realise — and it should never prevent you from receiving the care you need.
At K3 Dental, we offer dental sedation to help patients feel relaxed, comfortable and reassured throughout their treatment.
Sedation can be especially helpful if you feel nervous about dental visits, have had difficult past experiences, or require longer or more complex procedures.
By helping you feel calm and at ease, sedation often allows treatment to be completed more comfortably and efficiently — sometimes even reducing the number of appointments required.
Key Benefits of Dental Sedation
- Helps reduce anxiety, fear and stress during dental treatment
- Allows longer or more complex procedures to be carried out comfortably
- You remain awake but deeply relaxed throughout treatment
- Reduced awareness of sights, sounds and sensations
- Often little or no memory of the visit afterwards
- Helps patients move forward positively with dental care
What Is Dental Sedation?
Dental sedation at K3 Dental is provided using intravenous (IV) sedation, where a carefully controlled sedative (usually midazolam) is delivered through a small cannula placed in your arm or hand.
You stay awake and able to respond to simple requests, but feel deeply relaxed and drowsy. Many patients find that time passes very quickly and remember little of the appointment afterwards. Sedation is designed to reduce anxiety and awareness — local anaesthetic is still used to ensure the treatment itself is comfortable and pain-free.
Who Is Sedation Suitable For?
Sedation can benefit a wide range of patients. It is particularly helpful for people who feel nervous or phobic about dental treatment, those with a strong gag reflex, and patients who require longer or more complex procedures, or multiple treatments in one visit. It can also be a positive option for anyone who has had difficult dental experiences in the past and wants a calmer, more reassuring way forward.
During your consultation, we’ll take time to understand your concerns, review your medical history and confirm whether IV sedation is the most appropriate option for you.
Your Safety, Monitoring and Support
Your safety and comfort are our priority. K3 Dental follows UK conscious-sedation standards, with continuous monitoring throughout your appointment. This includes close observation of your breathing, oxygen levels, pulse and blood pressure.
A trained team member is with you at all times, and the cannula remains in place until you are fully recovered and ready for discharge. Sedation levels are carefully adjusted to suit you, ensuring a calm and controlled experience from start to finish.
Practical Information
Before & After Sedation
Before Your Visit
- Eat a light meal and drink water as advised
- Take your usual medications unless advised otherwise
- Avoid heavy make-up and nail varnish where possible (helps with monitoring)
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Arrange a responsible adult to take you home and stay with you for the rest of the day
How You’ll Feel Under IV Sedation
- Relaxed and slightly sleepy, while remaining awake
- Able to respond to simple instructions
- Less aware of what’s happening around you
- It’s common to have little or no memory of the visit afterwards
After Your Visit
After sedation, most people feel drowsy for the remainder of the day. We recommend resting at home and avoiding driving, alcohol, work, exercise or important decisions for 24 hours. Your escort should stay with you until the effects have fully worn off.
Mild drowsiness is normal. Our team will contact you to check you’re feeling well and arrange any necessary follow-up care.
FAQs About Dental Sedation
Will I be asleep during sedation?
No. You remain awake and responsive, but deeply relaxed and less aware of your surroundings.
Does sedation replace pain relief?
No. Sedation reduces anxiety and awareness. Local anaesthetic is still used to ensure the treatment area is numb and comfortable.
Is IV sedation safe?
Yes. When provided by trained clinicians following a full assessment, IV sedation is a safe and well-established technique.
Will I remember the treatment?
Many patients remember very little, which is a common and reassuring effect of IV sedation.
Can sedation help me complete treatment in fewer visits?
In many cases, yes. Feeling relaxed can allow more treatment to be carried out comfortably in a single appointment.
How long does it take to recover from IV sedation?
Most patients feel back to normal by the next day. You may feel sleepy on the day of treatment, which is normal, but the sedative effects usually wear off within 24 hours.
any questions?
If anxiety has held you back from dental care, dental sedation at K3 Dental can help you move forward with confidence. Our experienced specialist team provides calm, supportive care in an unhurried environment — from your first consultation through to recovery and aftercare.
Contact K3 Dental today to arrange a consultation and find out whether dental sedation is right for you.
