Home/Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry helps nervous patients have dental treatment with less anxiety. The Smile Spot in Dulwich Hill offers happy gas (nitrous oxide), a sedative tablet, and IV sedation through a small drip in your arm. With each option you stay conscious and able to respond.
Call (02) 9569 0199We offer three types of sedation. Which one suits you depends on how anxious you feel, the treatment you need and your medical history, and we decide it together at a consultation before the day.
Local anaesthetic is still used to numb the tooth with every option. Sedation eases anxiety and how aware you are of the appointment; it doesn’t replace numbing. You’ll get written instructions about eating, drinking and getting home before any sedation appointment. Read more about how happy gas works.
No. Sedation in the dental chair is conscious sedation: you keep breathing on your own and can respond when someone speaks to you. People sometimes call it “sleep dentistry” because IV sedation can relax you so much that you drift off, and many people remember little of the appointment afterwards. How much you remember varies from person to person.
Being fully asleep means a general anaesthetic, which is given by an anaesthetist in a hospital or day surgery. If your treatment is extensive, or in-chair sedation isn’t suitable for you, your dentist can talk with you about treatment under general anaesthetic.
Sedation can help if:
Sedation isn’t right for everyone. Pregnancy, some heart, lung and breathing conditions (including sleep apnoea) and some medicines can rule out a particular type of sedation. We go through your medical history and current medicines at your consultation. If in-chair sedation isn’t the safe choice for you, we’ll explain why and talk through other options.
IV sedation is planned ahead, so the day itself follows a set routine. This is what to expect, from the consultation to the next morning.
Consultation first
A separate visit to go through your medical history, medicines and treatment plan, and to give you written instructions.
Before you arrive
Follow the eating and drinking instructions you’ve been given, and arrange an adult to bring you and take you home.
Getting settled
A small drip is placed in your hand or arm, and monitoring is attached.
Sedation and treatment
The sedative is given gradually until you’re relaxed, then the tooth is numbed and treatment begins.
Recovery
You rest at the clinic until you’re ready to leave with your escort.
The next 24 hours
No driving, alcohol, operating machinery or signing important documents, and an adult should stay with you.
In Australia, a dentist must hold an endorsement from the Dental Board of Australia before giving any medicine that produces conscious sedation. IV sedation can also be given by a registered medical practitioner, such as an anaesthetist. Happy gas doesn’t need that endorsement, as long as it’s used at a level where you stay lightly sedated.
At The Smile Spot, IV sedation is given and monitored by a practitioner qualified and registered to provide it. We’ll tell you who that is before your appointment, and you can check any practitioner’s registration on the AHPRA public register.
While you’re sedated, your breathing, oxygen level and pulse are monitored. Common after-effects are drowsiness, mild nausea and a small bruise where the drip was placed. Serious reactions are uncommon, and checking your medical history beforehand helps lower that risk.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Sedation is charged separately from the dental treatment itself. The fee depends on the type of sedation and how long the appointment takes, and we give you a written quote after your consultation that lists both the treatment and the sedation.
Written quote first
Sedation is charged separately from the dental treatment. The fee depends on the type of sedation and how long the appointment takes, and your written quote lists both after your consultation. See our published fees and charges.
Health fund rebates
Some extras policies pay a rebate on sedation, depending on your fund and level of cover. Check the item numbers on your quote with your fund. We accept most major health funds.
Medicare
Medicare generally doesn’t cover dental treatment or sedation for adults at a private dental clinic.
Interest-free payment plans
Interest-free payment plans are available for eligible treatments.
Plenty of anxious patients manage well without sedation once they know what to expect. Tell us you’re nervous when you book. We’ll explain each step before we do it, agree on a signal you can use to stop at any time, and take breaks when you need them.
Some treatments can be done with laser dentistry, which for certain procedures means less need for anaesthetic. Late appointments until 8pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and Saturday hours, let you pick a time when you’re not rushing.
The Smile Spot was founded in 1996 by principal dentist Dr Dimitrios Thanos, a University of Sydney graduate. You can read about all our treatments on the dental services page.
Usually, once it has worn off. Happy gas clears within minutes of breathing oxygen at the end of treatment, and your dentist will check you're alert before you leave. After a sedative tablet or IV sedation you must not drive for at least 24 hours, and an adult needs to take you home.
The deep relaxation fades over a few hours, but your judgement and reflexes can stay affected for the rest of the day. Plan to rest at home with an adult staying with you, and go back to work the next day unless your dentist advises otherwise.
For a sedative tablet or IV sedation, usually yes. You'll get written instructions at your consultation about when to stop eating and drinking. Follow them closely, because they're there to keep you safe. Happy gas usually needs no fasting, though a light meal beforehand is a good idea.
The tooth is still numbed with local anaesthetic, so the treatment itself is managed the same way as in any visit. Sedation reduces anxiety and how aware you are of the appointment. You may still notice pressure or movement, and you can tell your dentist if anything feels uncomfortable.
Medicare generally doesn't cover dental sedation for adults at a private clinic. Some extras policies pay a rebate on sedation items, depending on your fund and level of cover. Your written quote lists the item numbers so you can check what you'll get back before treatment.
Sedation isn't only for surgery. It can also help with routine visits if you've been avoiding the dentist for a long time. Tell us about the visit you need when you book, and we'll suggest the lightest option that suits it.
Call us to talk it through. The right option for a child depends on their age, health and the treatment needed, and some children are better treated under general anaesthetic in hospital. We'll explain the choices so you can decide what suits your family.
The Smile Spot – Affordable Family Dentist, providing dental services at Dulwich Hill, Marrickville, Canterbury, Sydenham, Petersham, Lewisham, Summer Hill, Enmore, New Town, Earlwood, Wolli Creek, Bardwell Park, Arncliffe, Kogarah, Rockdale, Banksia, Bexley, Bexley North, Tempe, St. Peters, Erskineville, Sydney, Leichardt, Inner West.
Mon - Tue : 9 am -8 pm
Thu : 9 am -8 pm
Fri - Sat : 9 am -3 pm
Closed on Wednesdays and Sundays
Comprehensive Care Package includes examination, X-rays (as many as required), scale/clean and Fluoride treatment at $240 , For children under the age of 17 years $180.
