Sedation Dentistry Lockleys | Lockleys Dental Clinic

Dental care for people who find it difficult

Dental anxiety is more common than many people realise. Some patients put off care for years, not because they don't want healthy teeth, but because the thought of sitting in the dental chair is genuinely distressing. Others have a sensitive gag reflex, a complex medical history, or need a significant amount of treatment completed in as few appointments as possible.

At Lockleys Dental Clinic, sedation dentistry is a genuine point of difference. Nitrous oxide (happy gas) is available in-house for a wide range of procedures. For patients who need deeper sedation, IV sedation and general anaesthesia are available at an external facility, helping you avoid lengthy public hospital waiting lists.

Your three sedation options

We offer three levels of sedation. Nitrous oxide is provided in-house at the practice. IV sedation and general anaesthetic are both provided at an external facility, which lets us treat patients who need deeper sedation without a long public hospital wait.

1. Nitrous oxide (happy gas) — in-house

Nitrous oxide is inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose during your appointment. It induces a feeling of calm and mild euphoria within a few minutes. You remain conscious, can respond to questions, and the effects wear off quickly once the mask is removed. Many patients drive themselves home afterward (check with us first based on your individual situation).

Happy gas is suitable for mild to moderate dental anxiety, needle phobia, and patients who want to feel relaxed without deeper sedation. It's safe for most adults and many children, and is available for a wide range of procedures.

2. IV sedation — at an external facility

Intravenous (IV) sedation involves medication delivered directly into a vein in your arm or hand. Within moments you enter a deeply relaxed, drowsy state, often described as feeling like a heavy sleep, but with the ability to respond if spoken to. Most patients have little or no memory of the appointment.

IV sedation is performed at an external facility and is appropriate for moderate to severe dental anxiety, complex or lengthy procedures, and patients who need significant treatment completed in a single sitting. You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day.

3. General anaesthetic (GA) — at an external facility

For patients who require full unconscious sedation (including those with significant medical complexity or severe dental phobia), general anaesthesia is available at an external facility. We'll discuss whether this is appropriate for your situation and arrange the necessary medical clearance and booking. Treatment under GA allows us to complete extensive procedures in a single session.

Who is sedation dentistry suitable for?

Patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety or phobia
People who have avoided dental care for a long time and need catch-up treatment
Patients undergoing complex or lengthy procedures (wisdom teeth, implants, multiple extractions)
Those with a strong gag reflex that makes treatment difficult
Patients with certain physical or cognitive conditions that make sitting still difficult
Anyone who simply wants to get more done in fewer visits

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for every type of sedation. Your medical history, medications, and the procedure planned all factor into the recommendation. We'll assess your suitability carefully during a consultation before any sedation is arranged.

What to expect on the day

Before your appointment

For IV sedation and GA, you'll receive specific fasting instructions: typically no food for six hours and no clear liquids for two hours before your appointment. You should arrange for a responsible adult to drive you to and from the clinic and stay with you for the remainder of the day. Wear comfortable, loose clothing and avoid alcohol for 24 hours beforehand.

During your appointment

For nitrous oxide, a small mask is placed over your nose and the gas takes effect within minutes. For IV sedation (at the external facility), a cannula is placed in your hand or forearm and the sedation medication is administered. Once you're settled and comfortable, your treating dentist proceeds with the planned treatment. Monitoring equipment tracks your vital signs throughout. The experience is typically described as deeply relaxing. You may feel like you're dozing off and back on before you know it.

After your appointment

Recovery from IV sedation takes a couple of hours before you're discharged. You may feel groggy or slightly nauseous. This is normal and typically resolves within a few hours. Do not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol, or make important decisions for 24 hours after IV sedation.

Frequently asked questions

IV sedation has a well-established safety record when administered by a trained clinician with appropriate monitoring equipment. IV sedation is performed at an external facility where your vital signs are monitored continuously throughout the procedure. As with any medical procedure, there are risks. These will be discussed in detail at your consultation, and a thorough medical assessment is conducted before any sedation is planned.

IV sedation produces a deeply relaxed, semi-conscious state, not full unconsciousness. You can still breathe independently and respond to questions, but you'll be in a very calm, drowsy state and typically remember little or nothing of the appointment. This is different from general anaesthesia, where you are fully unconscious. The level of sedation can be adjusted based on your response.

With IV sedation you are in a deeply relaxed, sleep-like state but can still breathe independently and respond to verbal prompts. With general anaesthesia you are fully unconscious, require airway management, and the procedure takes place with an anaesthetist present. Both IV sedation and GA are performed at an external facility. IV sedation is appropriate for most dental procedures and most patients; GA is reserved for more complex situations.

For IV sedation and GA, you must fast beforehand. The standard guideline is nothing to eat for six hours and no clear fluids for two hours before your appointment time. We'll confirm your specific fasting instructions when you book. If you arrive having not followed the fasting instructions, your appointment may need to be rescheduled for your safety.

Whether sedation is covered depends on your insurer and your level of extras cover. Some major dental policies include a benefit for sedation under certain item numbers. We're preferred providers with Bupa, NIB, and HCF. We recommend calling your fund before your appointment to understand what's claimable. We can provide an itemised treatment estimate to help with this.

Sedation Dentistry