This is when medication is used to help patients relax whilst having dental treatment

Intravenous sedation involves giving you an injection of sedative drug into the back of your hand or in your arm or hand. The sedative drug will relax you and make you feel sleepy during your treatment.

Once you are sedated, you will be given a local anaesthetic injection which will numb your mouth before treatment begins.

Intravenous sedation can slow down your breathing. We overcome this by monitoring you closely and giving you oxygen (through a mask) if needed.

Sometimes there can be bruising to your hand or arm after the injection but this should only last a few days. We will speak to you about risks in more detail when you come for your appointment.

You must have a responsible adult come with you. This person will need to stay until your treatment is complete, escort you home and look after you for the rest of the day.

It is not necessary to stop eating before sedation and we recommend that you have a light meal before your appointment.

Unless you are advised otherwise, please continue to take your routine medicines as usual.

If you have children, you will need to arrange help with looking after them until the following day.

You will most likely feel fine, however, your reasoning, reflexes, judgement, coordination and skill can be affected by the sedation until the next day.

We advise you to rest at home until the following day and should NOT do the following:

• drive any vehicle or ride a bicycle

• operate any machinery

• attempt to cook

• use sharp utensils or pour hot or boiling liquids

• drink alcohol or smoke

• take sleeping tablets

• make any important decisions or sign any contracts

• be responsible for children or other dependants

From £150