The difference, precisely
Both leave you with no memory of the appointment, which is why they get conflated. They are not the same procedure and they do not carry the same risks.
| IV sedation | General anaesthetic | |
|---|---|---|
| Consciousness | Awake, responsive | Fully unconscious |
| Breathing | Your own | Supported by a machine |
| Where | A dental office | A hospital or surgical suite |
| Memory of it | Little to none | None |
| Who administers | A dentist trained and certified for it | An anaesthesiologist |
How the monitoring works
Sedation medication goes in through a small cannula in the back of the hand or the arm, which means the dose can be adjusted during the appointment rather than being fixed at the start.
You are monitored throughout: oxygen levels, pulse, blood pressure. Someone is watching those numbers for the whole appointment, not just the tooth.
Who it suits
It is not the first thing offered, and a good number of people who arrive certain they need it turn out not to once the appointment is arranged differently. Oral sedation, a longer appointment and a slower start solve it more often than people expect.
- People whose anxiety is severe enough that treatment does not otherwise happen
- Long appointments, or several procedures combined into one visit
- A strong gag reflex that makes back teeth difficult to treat
- Difficulty staying comfortable in a chair for a long period
The day itself
- BeforehandA health history and a medication review. Some medications and conditions rule it out, which is why this happens before the appointment is booked rather than on the day.
- FastingNothing to eat or drink for a set period beforehand. You are told exactly how long.
- An escortSomeone must drive you home and stay with you. This is not negotiable and the appointment cannot go ahead without it.
- AfterwardsGrogginess for the rest of the day. No driving, no work, no decisions that matter, for 24 hours.
Common questions
Asked at the front desk.
Is IV sedation the same as being put to sleep?
No. Under IV sedation you are conscious, breathing on your own and able to respond, but relaxed and unlikely to remember much. A general anaesthetic makes you fully unconscious with breathing supported, and it happens in a hospital.
Will I remember the appointment?
Most people remember little or nothing, which is usually the point. Some remember fragments.
Do I need someone to drive me?
Yes, and it is not optional. Someone must drive you home and stay with you afterwards, and the appointment cannot go ahead without it.
Is IV sedation safe?
It is administered by a dentist trained and certified for it, with oxygen levels, pulse and blood pressure monitored throughout. A health history and medication review happen before it is booked, because some conditions and medications rule it out.
How long does it take to wear off?
You will be groggy for the rest of the day. No driving, no work and no significant decisions for 24 hours.
Next step
One phone call, and someone answers it.
3608 Carrington Rd #204, West Kelowna. Thursdays until 7pm, Fridays from 7am. Accepting new patients of every age.