Oral Sedation Dentistry
For a lot of people, the dentist isn’t their favourite place to be — and that’s completely understandable. Happy Gas, also known as nitrous oxide, is a sedation option we offer across our Avenue Dental practices. You breathe it in through a small nasal mask, it settles in within minutes, and many patients find it helps them feel more relaxed and present through their treatment.
It won’t suit everyone, and the only way to know if it’s right for you is a consultation with your dentist to discuss the risks involved.
Sedation is a medical procedure and carries risks. Not everyone is suitable. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Read about treatment risks.
What is oral sedation?
Oral sedation is a sedative tablet your dentist prescribes for you, which you take before your dental appointment.
It helps take the edge off dental anxiety, so you feel calmer and drowsy during treatment. You stay awake and can still respond to your dentist.
Your dentist chooses the medication and dose for you based on your medical history, your usual medications and the treatment you’re having. The prescription is filled at a pharmacy.
Local anaesthetic is still used to numb the area being treated. The tablet helps you feel relaxed, and the local anaesthetic manages the feeling in your mouth.
What does oral sedation feel like?
Everyone responds differently. Here’s what people commonly notice.
During
How it feels
Calm, relaxed and drowsy. You’re awake and can talk to your dentist, but you may feel less worried about what’s happening.
Starting
When you take it
You take the tablet before your appointment, at the time your dentist tells you, so it’s working when treatment starts.
After
How long it lasts
You may feel drowsy for the rest of the day, so plan to rest at home after your appointment.
Getting home
You can’t drive
Someone needs to bring you, take you home and stay with you afterwards.
This is general information only. How oral sedation affects you can vary, and your dentist explains what to expect before your appointment.
How much does oral sedation cost?
Oral sedation involves a prescription from your dentist, which is filled at a pharmacy. There’s no anaesthetist fee. Your dental treatment is quoted in a written plan before you go ahead.
Your quote
Ask about oral sedation at your appointment
Your dentist checks whether oral sedation is suitable for you and gives you a written treatment plan and quote.
What affects the cost
- Your prescription
- The treatment you’re having
- Appointment length
Interest-free payment plans
Spread the cost with Humm, Afterpay, Zip or TLC. Approval and terms are assessed by each provider.
Health funds
Your dental treatment is claimed on your extras cover as usual. Check with your fund about what you’re covered for.
No anaesthetist fee
Unlike IV sedation and general anaesthetic, oral sedation doesn’t involve an anaesthetist’s fee.
Fees are quoted individually and depend on your treatment plan. Prescription costs are paid at the pharmacy.
Taken before your appointment
You stay awake but drowsy
No anaesthetist fee
Available at every Avenue Dental practice
Someone takes you home
Where is oral sedation available?
Oral sedation is available at every Avenue Dental practice. Choose your area to see the sedation options at your nearest Avenue Dental practice.
Oral sedation
Sunshine Coast
Oral sedation is available at every Sunshine Coast practice.
Sleep dentistry Sunshine Coast →
Oral sedation
Brisbane
Oral sedation is available at North Lakes, Murrumba Downs and Woolloongabba.
Sleep dentistry Brisbane →
Oral sedation
Melbourne
Oral sedation is available at Brunswick.
Sleep dentistry Melbourne →
Oral sedation
Adelaide
Oral sedation is available at Fulham Gardens.
Sleep dentistry Adelaide →
Other sedation options
If oral sedation isn’t the right fit, your dentist talks you through what may suit you instead.
Lighter option
Happy gas
Given by your dentist. You stay awake and relaxed.
Find out more →
Deeper option
IV (twilight) sedation
Assessed by your dentist and an anaesthetist, and monitored by the anaesthetist team.
Find out more →
Fully asleep
General anaesthetic
Assessed by your dentist and an anaesthetist, and monitored by the anaesthetist team at our Maroochydore practice.
Find out more →
All options
Compare sedation
See how all four sedation options compare.
Find out more →
Our Sleep Dentistry Services Include
How oral sedation works, step by step
Your oral sedation is planned around your health and your treatment. Here’s what to expect.
-
1
Consultation and assessment
Your dentist talks with you about how you feel about dental treatment, and reviews your medical history, your usual medications and the treatment you need.
-
2
Prescription and instructions
If oral sedation is suitable, your dentist prescribes the tablet and tells you when to take it, and what to do about food and your usual medications on the day.
Before your appointment
- Fill your prescription
- Food and medication instructions
- When to take the tablet
- An adult to bring you and take you home
-
3
On the day
Take the tablet as your dentist directed. Someone needs to bring you to your appointment, as you can’t drive once you’ve taken it.
-
4
During treatment
Local anaesthetic numbs the area being treated, and your dentist and dental team monitor you throughout your appointment.
-
5
Going home
Your support person takes you home and stays with you. You may feel drowsy for the rest of the day, and you’ll get aftercare advice before you leave.
Sedation is a medical procedure and carries risks. Not everyone is suitable. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Read about treatment risks.
How Much Does Happy Gas Cost?
Happy Gas is a cost-effective sedation option, with costs calculated per hour as an adjunct to your dental treatment. During your consultation, your dentist will perform a comprehensive examination, discuss your needs, and provide a detailed quote for your recommended treatment plan, including Happy Gas sedation if applicable.
Book a consultation to discuss sedation options
If you’d like to know more about Happy Gas and whether it could make your dental visit more comfortable, get in touch with us at Avenue Dental. Our dentists across the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide can talk you through your options and assess whether it’s suitable for you. Book online or call our friendly reception team to have a chat about how we can help.
Flexible payment plans
At Avenue Dental on the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne, we understand that dental treatment can be difficult to fit into your budget, which is why we offer a range of different dental payment plan options.
Oral sedation FAQs
This is general information only. Your dentist can answer anything else at your consultation.
What is oral sedation?
Oral sedation is a sedative tablet prescribed by your dentist and taken before your appointment. It can help you feel calmer and drowsy during dental treatment, while you stay awake.
Is oral sedation good for dental anxiety?
Oral sedation can help some people with dental anxiety feel more relaxed during treatment. Your dentist talks with you about how you feel and reviews your medical history before recommending it.
Will I be asleep with oral sedation?
No. With oral sedation you usually stay awake but feel calm and drowsy. If you need to be fully asleep, your dentist may discuss general anaesthetic.
Who prescribes oral sedation?
Your dentist prescribes the tablet and chooses the dose for you, based on your medical history, your usual medications and your treatment. The prescription is filled at a pharmacy.
When do I take the tablet?
You take the tablet before your appointment, at the time your dentist tells you. Your dentist also tells you what to do about food and your usual medications on the day.
Can I drive after oral sedation?
No. You can’t drive after oral sedation. Someone needs to bring you to your appointment, take you home and stay with you afterwards.
How long does oral sedation last?
You may feel drowsy for the rest of the day, so plan to rest at home. Your dentist gives you aftercare advice before you leave.
Will I still need a local anaesthetic?
Usually, yes. The tablet helps you feel relaxed, while local anaesthetic numbs the area being treated.
Is oral sedation safe?
Every type of sedation carries some risk. Before prescribing oral sedation, your dentist reviews your medical history and medications, and your dental team monitors you during your appointment.
How much does oral sedation cost?
Oral sedation involves a prescription from your dentist, filled at a pharmacy, and there’s no anaesthetist fee. Your dental treatment is quoted in a written plan before you go ahead.
What’s the difference between oral sedation and IV sedation?
Oral sedation is a tablet prescribed by your dentist, and you usually stay awake but drowsy. IV sedation is given through a small cannula, you’re usually more deeply relaxed, and you’re assessed by your dentist and an anaesthetist and monitored by the anaesthetist team.
Where is oral sedation available?
Oral sedation is available at every Avenue Dental practice across the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide.
