IV sedation in BrisbaneYou don't have to be brave for this.
A gentle sedative through a small drip in your arm. Most people feel deeply relaxed, lose track of time and remember little of their treatment afterwards. An anaesthetist stays with you from start to finish.
However long it has been, you'll get no judgement here. Just a calm conversation.
- Watched overAn anaesthetist and full monitoring throughout
- Day surgeryIn Chermside, home the same day
- Clear guide pricesShown below
The short answer
What is IV sedation?
IV sedation is a calming medicine given through a small drip in your arm or hand. It places you in a deeply relaxed, drowsy state for your treatment. You're not fully asleep and can still respond when spoken to, but most people remember little of the appointment afterwards.
You may also hear it called twilight sedation. It sits between being fully awake and being fully asleep under a general anaesthetic.
How it feels
Heavy, calm and drowsy. You can still respond, and most people remember little.
Afterwards
Rest in recovery, then someone takes you home. No driving for 24 hours.
Often chosen for
Real dental fear, longer visits, wisdom teeth and implants.
- 01
How it's given
Through a small drip in your arm or hand, placed once you're settled in the chair.
- 02
How you'll feel
Calm, heavy and drowsy. Time tends to pass quickly, and most people recall very little.
- 03
Who looks after you
An anaesthetist gives the sedation and watches your breathing, heart rate and oxygen the whole time.
- 04
Afterwards
You rest in recovery, then someone you trust takes you home. No driving for 24 hours.
What it feels like
What does IV sedation feel like?
For many people, the biggest question isn't about the dentistry. It's about how the sedation itself will feel. Here's what most people describe, moment by moment.
- Before it starts
A calm hello, at your pace
You sit back in a comfortable chair and meet the team looking after you. We talk you through what's about to happen, and we start when you're ready.
- The drip
A quick pinch, then it's done
A small drip goes into the back of your hand or your arm. It takes a moment, and once it's in, you don't need to look at it again.
- The first minute or two
Your shoulders start to drop
Most people notice a warm, heavy feeling spreading through them. Breathing slows. Whatever was worrying you starts to feel far away.
- During treatment
Deeply relaxed and drowsy
You may drift in and out, and you can still respond if the team asks you something. Time tends to pass very quickly. Most people remember very little.
- Coming round
Resting while it wears off
You rest in recovery while the sedation eases. Many people feel a little sleepy, and surprised that it's already over.
- Later that day
Home to rest
Someone you trust takes you home to rest for the rest of the day. No driving, no big decisions, just a quiet afternoon.
Questions people often ask us
Tap a question to see the answer.
Most people feel a small, quick pinch, a bit like a blood test. If needles bother you, tell us early. We'll take it slowly and talk you through ways to make it easier.
That's completely okay, and more common than you'd think. Nobody will rush you or make you feel silly. We can pause, talk, and go again when you're ready.
Most people are quiet and drowsy. If you do chat, the team has heard it all before, and it stays in the room. It's one of the most common questions people ask.
Yes. You'll need someone to take you home afterwards anyway, and they're welcome to come with you on the day. Ask us about them staying close while you settle in.
Something else on your mind? We'd rather you asked.Ask us anything
Treatments under IV sedation
All of this can happen while you rest.
Dental implants
New teeth that stay put, placed while you're deeply relaxed. A single tooth, or several at once.
About implants
A full arch of new teeth
When most of the teeth in a jaw can't be saved, a fixed full set can replace them. Often called All-on-X, and done with IV sedation or fully asleep, whichever suits you.
About full archWisdom teeth & difficult extractions
Removed while you rest. Often all four wisdom teeth in one appointment, plus the tricky removals that belong in a surgical setting.
About wisdom teethEverything, in one go
Years of put-off dental work, sorted in one relaxed appointment wherever possible. Fillings, crowns and bridges, root canal treatments, extractions, implants and more.
How that worksFull mouth rehabilitation
A complete, carefully planned rebuild, done in as few relaxed visits as we can manage.
About full mouth carePaediatric sleep dentistry
For children aged 2 and over. Kids are cared for under a general anaesthetic rather than IV sedation, so they sleep through their whole treatment.
About kids’ care
Not sure which you need? At your consultation we'll tell you exactly what yours would look like, in writing, before you decide anything.
Your safety
Who's looking after you
While Dr Niels looks after your teeth, an anaesthetist's only job is looking after you. They give the sedation, stay by your side the whole time, and watch every breath and heartbeat on a monitor like this one.
Heart rate and rhythm
A sensor tracks every heartbeat, so any change in your heart's rate or rhythm is seen straight away.
Illustration only. Tap each reading to see what it means.
- Your dentist
Dr Niels Kirsten (Dentist)
Plans your treatment with you, then carries it out while you rest. You'll meet him at your consultation first.
- Your anaesthetist
A Medical Anaesthetist
A medical doctor who gives your sedation and does nothing else during your treatment but watch over you.
- The day surgery
Dormir Group Surgical Centre, Chermside
A day surgery built for procedures like this, with a recovery area and nurses who stay with you until you're ready to go home.
Meet the people looking after you
Come in for a consultation. Ask anything, see the space, and decide in your own time.
Cost and ways to pay
What will it cost?
Our guide prices give you a realistic number to plan around from the start. Sedation and day surgery fees are separate, and we’ll go through them with you at your consultation. Choose a treatment to see a guide price.
1. Choose a treatment
2. Tell us a little more
Guide priceSedation fees separate
$1,350Two to four wisdom teeth
- Treatment, one appointment$1,350
Guide price only, in AUD, with sedation and day surgery fees separate. After your exam and 3D scan, you'll get a fixed written quote before you decide anything.
Payment plans
Spread the cost with MediPay. We'll walk you through the options at your consultation.
Using your super
SuperCare can help you apply to use your super for treatment, if you're eligible.
Medicare & health funds
Medicare may rebate part of your sedation fee, and your fund may cover part of your treatment. We'll give you the item numbers to check.
What happens on the day
Your day, from arriving to heading home.
Not knowing what happens is most of the fear, so here is the whole day, step by step. Walk through it at your own pace.
Every day surgery day runs to a plan, and the exact times for yours come with your written treatment plan, so there is no guesswork on the morning.
Ways to pay
More than one way to pay for it.
You will always have a fixed written quote, with item numbers, before anything is booked. When it comes to paying, these are the options we work with.
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SuperCare
For eligible patients, SuperCare manages the application to access superannuation for approved dental treatment, including the paperwork with the ATO.
Eligibility criteria apply
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MediPay
Payment plans for dental treatment, often sorted within a day, with funds paid directly to the clinic. You will know the full cost of your treatment before you commit to anything.
Subject to approval · terms apply
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Health funds & Medicare
Some surgical items attract Medicare or health fund rebates. Your quote includes the item numbers, so you can check exactly what your fund pays before you decide.
Depends on your cover
Every option has its own terms and approval process, and we will walk you through what applies to you. MediPay is a credit provider. Accessing superannuation early affects your retirement savings, so we recommend independent financial advice before going down that path.
Reach out
Want to enquire, or just find out more?
Send a question, any question. A real person reads it and gets back to you. No follow-up calls you did not ask for, and no pressure to book anything.
Or call us on (07) 3272 6056Outside hours, the chat in the corner can answer most questions straight away.
Questions
IV sedation questions, answered
The questions people most often ask us before their first visit.
Still wondering about something?
Ask us anything. There are no silly questions here.
Not fully. IV sedation places you in a deeply relaxed, drowsy state. You can still respond if the team speaks to you, but most people drift in and out and remember very little of their treatment afterwards. If you'd rather be completely asleep, a general anaesthetic is also an option.
Your sedation is given by an anaesthetist, who stays with you for the whole treatment and watches your heart rate, oxygen, blood pressure and breathing throughout. We also go through your health history and medicines carefully beforehand. Like any medical procedure, there are some risks, and Dr Niels will talk them through with you at your consultation.
Our guide prices are for the dental treatment only. IV sedation and day surgery fees are separate, and we’ll go through them with you at your consultation. For example, removing two to four wisdom teeth is a guide price of $1,350. You'll get a fixed written quote after your exam and 3D scan, before you decide anything.
If you have Medicare, you may get a rebate on part of your sedation fee. Your fund may also cover part of your treatment, depending on your level of cover. We'll give you the item numbers so you can check with them. Payment plans through MediPay and using your super through SuperCare are also options.
Most people rest in recovery for a couple of hours, then go home with someone they trust. You can't drive for 24 hours, and most people feel like themselves again by the next day.
You'll need to stop eating for a few hours beforehand. We'll give you clear written instructions with the exact times, so there's no guesswork.
Most people feel a small, quick pinch when the drip goes in, a bit like a blood test. Tell us early if needles worry you. We'll take it slowly and talk you through ways to make it easier.
Often, yes. Many people use IV sedation to catch up on years of dental work in as few appointments as possible. We'll plan exactly what's possible for you at your consultation.
Still wondering about something?
Ask us anything. There are no silly questions here.
No matches. Try another word, or give us a call.