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If the thought of visiting the dentist makes your heart race, you’re not alone. Dental anxiety affects millions of people across the UK—and it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Whether your fear stems from a bad experience as a child, a sensitivity to pain, or simply the sounds and smells of a dental surgery, we understand. At Kiss Dental, we’ve helped hundreds of anxious patients receive the treatment they need comfortably and calmly, thanks to our sedation options.
Our founder, Dr Kailesh Solanki, and Dr Khushal Morar are experienced in providing sedation dentistry across all of our locations—Manchester City Centre, Altrincham, Flixton, Knutsford, Alderley Edge, Liverpool, Bury, and Bramhall. This guide explains everything you need to know about dental sedation, so you can make an informed decision about what’s right for you.
Dental anxiety is incredibly common. Studies suggest that between 10% and 30% of adults in the UK experience some degree of dental fear, with around 12% suffering from extreme dental phobia. The reasons vary enormously—some people are triggered by needles, others by the sound of a drill, and many simply feel vulnerable sitting in a dental chair with their mouth open.
Whatever the cause, the result is often the same: people avoid the dentist for months or even years, which leads to worsening dental health and more complex treatment when they eventually do attend. It becomes a vicious cycle—the longer you leave it, the more treatment you’re likely to need, and the more anxious you become about going.
Dental sedation breaks that cycle. It allows you to receive treatment in a relaxed, comfortable state, so you can get the care you need without the distress.
At Kiss Dental, we offer several sedation options depending on your level of anxiety, the treatment required, and your medical history. Here’s what’s available:
This is the mildest form of sedation and works well for patients with mild to moderate anxiety. You breathe in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a small mask placed over your nose. Within minutes, you’ll feel calm, relaxed, and slightly lightheaded—but you’ll remain fully conscious and able to respond to your dentist throughout.
One of the biggest advantages of inhalation sedation is that it wears off very quickly. Within 5–10 minutes of removing the mask, you’ll feel completely normal. You can even drive yourself home afterwards, which isn’t the case with other sedation types.
IV sedation is the most common option for patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety. A sedative drug is administered directly into a vein in your hand or arm, producing a deep state of relaxation. You won’t be unconscious—technically you’re still awake—but most patients have little or no memory of the procedure afterwards.
IV sedation is sometimes called “twilight sedation” because you’re in a dream-like state. You can still respond to instructions from your dentist, but you’ll feel detached from what’s happening. Many patients describe it as feeling like the treatment took only a few minutes, even if it lasted an hour or more.
Because IV sedation takes longer to wear off, you’ll need someone to drive you home and stay with you for a few hours afterwards.
With oral sedation, you take a sedative tablet (usually a benzodiazepine) about an hour before your appointment. This produces a moderate level of relaxation—you’ll feel drowsy and calm, though you’ll remain conscious throughout. Oral sedation is a good middle ground between inhalation and IV sedation.
The downside of oral sedation is that the level of sedation is harder to control precisely, and it takes longer to take effect and wear off compared to inhalation sedation. Like IV sedation, you’ll need someone to accompany you home.
Most healthy adults are suitable candidates for dental sedation. However, we’ll always carry out a thorough assessment before recommending sedation. This includes reviewing your medical history, current medications, and any allergies.
Dental sedation may be particularly helpful if you:
There are some situations where sedation may not be appropriate—for example, if you’re pregnant, have certain respiratory conditions, or take medications that could interact with sedative drugs. Dr Solanki or Dr Morar will discuss all of this with you during your consultation.
If you’re having IV or oral sedation, you’ll typically be asked to avoid eating for at least six hours beforehand and to stop drinking clear fluids two hours before. You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and arrange for someone to drive you to and from the appointment.
For inhalation sedation, there are fewer restrictions—you can usually eat and drink normally beforehand, though we’d recommend a light meal rather than anything heavy.
Throughout your treatment, your dentist and a trained sedation nurse will monitor you closely. Your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels are checked continuously. You’ll be in safe hands at all times.
With inhalation sedation, you’ll feel the effects within a couple of minutes. With IV sedation, you’ll feel relaxed almost immediately after the drug is administered. With oral sedation, you’ll already be feeling drowsy by the time you arrive at the surgery.
Your dentist will still use local anaesthetic to numb the treatment area, so you won’t feel any pain. The sedation simply takes away the anxiety and fear.
If you’ve had inhalation sedation, you’ll recover within minutes and can go about your day normally. If you’ve had IV or oral sedation, plan to rest for the remainder of the day. You shouldn’t drive, operate machinery, make important decisions, or drink alcohol for at least 24 hours.
Most patients feel pleasantly drowsy for a few hours after IV sedation, with the effects wearing off completely by the following morning. Many people find that because they have little or no memory of the treatment, their anxiety about future dental visits is significantly reduced.
Patient safety is our absolute priority. All sedation at Kiss Dental is administered by trained, experienced clinicians who follow strict protocols. During your treatment, we monitor your vital signs continuously and have emergency equipment readily available—though complications from dental sedation are extremely rare.
Dr Kailesh Solanki and Dr Khushal Morar have extensive experience in sedation dentistry and will ensure you’re fully informed and comfortable before any treatment begins.
The cost of dental sedation varies depending on the type of sedation used and the length of your treatment. At Kiss Dental, sedation is typically offered as an additional cost on top of your dental treatment fees. We’ll provide a clear quote during your consultation so there are no surprises.
We also offer flexible finance options to help spread the cost of your treatment, including sedation. Visit our fees page for more details, or call us on 0161 524 1804 to discuss your options.
Preparing for your sedation appointment is straightforward:
No. Dental sedation is not the same as general anaesthetic. With all forms of dental sedation, you remain conscious and able to respond to your dentist. IV sedation produces a deeply relaxed state where you may not remember much afterwards, but you’re never fully unconscious.
Yes, dental sedation has an excellent safety record when administered by trained professionals. We monitor your vital signs throughout and follow strict clinical protocols. Serious complications are extremely rare.
No. Sedation controls your anxiety, and local anaesthetic controls pain. You shouldn’t feel any discomfort during your treatment. If you do, let your dentist know immediately—they can adjust your anaesthetic.
Inhalation sedation wears off within 5–10 minutes. IV sedation effects typically last 2–4 hours, though you may feel drowsy for the rest of the day. Oral sedation effects can last 4–6 hours.
After inhalation sedation, yes—you can drive normally. After IV or oral sedation, absolutely not. You must have someone drive you home, and you shouldn’t drive for at least 24 hours.
We completely understand. You can call us on 0161 524 1804 and simply explain that you’re an anxious patient. Our reception team is trained to support nervous patients, and we can arrange your first visit as a relaxed, no-pressure consultation. There’s no judgement here—just understanding and support.
Yes, in some cases. Inhalation sedation is commonly used for children and is very safe. IV and oral sedation for younger patients is assessed on a case-by-case basis. We’ll discuss the best approach for your child during a consultation.
If dental anxiety has been keeping you from the care you need, sedation dentistry could change everything. At Kiss Dental, we’ve helped countless patients overcome their fears and receive treatment comfortably—and we’d love to help you too.
Get in touch today to book a consultation, or call us on 0161 524 1804. Our team—led by Dr Kailesh Solanki and Dr Khushal Morar—will take the time to understand your concerns and find the sedation option that’s right for you. We’re here at Manchester City Centre, Altrincham, Flixton, Knutsford, Alderley Edge, Liverpool, Bury, and Bramhall.
You deserve dental care without fear. Let’s make it happen.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Dental sedation suitability, options, and outcomes vary depending on individual health, medical history, and the specific treatment required. Always consult with a qualified dentist before undergoing any form of sedation. The information provided is based on general dental practice and may not apply to every patient. For personalised advice, please contact Kiss Dental on 0161 524 1804 to arrange a consultation with Dr Kailesh Solanki or Dr Khushal Morar.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional dental advice. Every patient is different, and treatment outcomes vary. Please consult a qualified dental professional at Kissdental for advice specific to your situation. All treatments are carried out by GDC-registered dentists.
Reviewed by Dr Kailesh Solanki, Founder of Kissdental
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional dental advice. Every patient is different, and treatment outcomes vary. Please consult a qualified dental professional at Kissdental for advice specific to your situation. All treatments are carried out by GDC-registered dentists.
Reviewed by Dr Kailesh Solanki, Founder of Kissdental
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