We are all different, and we all have our anxieties about matters that sometimes scare or frighten us. Several people are worried about having dental treatment. This may be for a variety of reasons — a bad experience at the dentist, personal beliefs about dental treatment, or perhaps the amount of treatment to be carried out. For some patients, their anxiety is so great that it prevents them from going to the dentist altogether.
If that sounds familiar, you are not alone — and you do not have to manage it alone either. At Conway House Dental Practice, we understand that anxiety varies hugely from person to person. We care for every patient as an individual, and we will care for you according to your own unique needs. We will encourage you to talk to us about your feelings so that we can reassure you, discuss your treatment fully, and work at a pace that feels manageable. Our goal is to help you build confidence and move forward with the dental care that matters to your long-term health.
Dental anxiety is more common than you might think, and it should never stand between you and the care your teeth need. At Conway House Dental Practice, we have helped many patients from Marlow, Beaconsfield and High Wycombe access treatment they had been putting off for months or years.
Call us today or book online for a no-pressure consultation. We will listen, explain your options, and make sure you feel completely comfortable before anything is agreed.
IV sedation involves administering a sedative drug — typically midazolam — directly into a vein, usually in the back of the hand. It does not induce sleep. Instead, you remain conscious and able to follow instructions from your dentist, but in a deeply relaxed, calm state with significantly reduced anxiety.
The drug is administered through a narrow cannula placed in the vein. Once the cannula is in place, the plastic tube remains and is used throughout the appointment to deliver the sedative. The procedure begins to take effect within minutes.
IV sedation is extremely safe and particularly beneficial for patients who also have a strong gag reflex, as it reduces this significantly alongside anxiety. Most patients remember little or nothing of the appointment afterwards, which is one of the reasons it is so effective for those with strong dental phobias.
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Intravenous sedation does not replace local anaesthetic — your dentist will still numb the area being treated, so the procedure itself remains painless. What sedation does is reduce the emotional and physical anxiety response, making it possible for the treatment to take place calmly and comfortably.
Conscious intravenous sedation has been developed specifically to allow patients to have their fears and anxieties reduced to such a degree that they can comfortably undergo dental treatment. Its key advantages include:
You will need a responsible adult to accompany you to your appointment and take you home afterwards. You should not drive, operate machinery, or make important decisions for the remainder of the day following sedation.
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For patients whose anxiety is moderate rather than severe, oral sedation — a sedative tablet taken before the appointment — offers a gentler alternative to IV sedation. It produces a relaxed, drowsy state that makes the dental environment significantly less threatening, without the need for a cannula. Our team will discuss which option is most appropriate for you at your consultation.
Sedation is appropriate for a wide range of patients and situations. You may benefit from sedation if you:
Sedation is not suitable for everyone. Certain medical conditions or medications may affect your suitability, which is why a consultation and medical history review always takes place before sedation is arranged. We will always make sure the approach is right for you individually.
Sedation is available not just for routine dental anxiety but as a genuine option alongside some of the more involved specialist procedures offered at Conway House. If any of the following treatments have felt out of reach because of anxiety, sedation may be the thing that makes them possible.
Oral Surgery — Wisdom Teeth and Complex Extractions
Surgical extractions, including impacted wisdom tooth removal performed by Mr Dipesh Patel, our Consultant Oral Surgeon, are among the most common procedures carried out under IV sedation at Conway House. Patients who would otherwise delay or avoid necessary oral surgery find that sedation completely changes their experience. Mr Patel and our sedation team work closely together to ensure the procedure is safe, efficient, and as comfortable as it can be.
Dental Implants — Placement for Anxious Patients
Implant placement is a surgical procedure that, under local anaesthetic alone, is well-tolerated by most patients. For those with significant anxiety, however, the idea of being awake during an implant procedure can be a barrier to treatment. IV sedation is available alongside implant surgery at Conway House, giving patients who want the long-term benefits of implants a way to access treatment that would otherwise feel impossible.
Periodontal Surgery — When Gum Treatment Requires a Surgical Stage
Dr Mital Patel, our Specialist in Periodontics, carries out surgical periodontal procedures in-house for patients with advanced gum disease. For patients who are anxious about surgical treatment, IV sedation can be arranged alongside these procedures, making it possible to complete necessary care without distress.
No. IV sedation is conscious sedation — you remain awake and able to respond to instructions. You will feel deeply relaxed and calm, and most patients have very little memory of the appointment afterwards, but you are not asleep in the way that a general anaesthetic would make you. This is part of what makes it so safe for use in a dental practice setting.
Yes. IV sedation using midazolam is a well-established and very safe procedure when administered by a trained and experienced team. It is far safer than a general anaesthetic, does not require hospital facilities, and is associated with a very low rate of complications. Your medical history is reviewed in full before sedation is agreed, and monitoring continues throughout your appointment.
Please call us. We are experienced in working with patients whose anxiety extends to simply making the call or walking through the door, and we will work with you at whatever pace feels manageable. A telephone conversation with one of our team is often the first step, and we can discuss your concerns fully before you commit to anything. Many of our most anxious patients tell us later that making that first contact was the hardest part.
In most cases, yes. Sedation can be used alongside routine treatments, more involved restorative work, oral surgery, and specialist procedures. There are some medical conditions and medications that may affect suitability, which is why your medical history is always reviewed first. Our team will advise you clearly on your options at consultation.
Sedation is charged in addition to the cost of the dental treatment itself. We provide clear, itemised pricing at your consultation. Flexible payment options, including 0% finance subject to status, are available to help spread the cost.
