IV And Oral Sedation

We understand that for some people, even the thought of going to the dentist can be nerve-wracking. Dental anxiety is far more common than anyone could imagine. That’s why at Trafalgar Family Dental Onehunga, we offer safe sedation options to make your visit much more comfortable.

Mild to moderate sedation can help you feel calm and at ease. Please note, it is not the same as general anesthesia — you won’t be fully asleep. Instead, you’ll be deeply relaxed and less aware of what’s going on. Most patients either don’t remember or only have vague memories of the procedure, which makes the whole experience much easier.

Keeping Smiles Bright and Affordable

What Sedation Options Do We Offer?

Oral Sedation

This basically means you take the drug midazolam through the mouth, usually around half an hour before your treatment. It works gradually and helps to ease your nerves so you feel comfortable in the chair. You’ll still be awake, but you won’t feel as tense or anxious.

👉 Please note: While oral sedation can be used for children in dentistry generally, we do not provide sedation for children at our clinic.

IV Sedation

IV sedation works a bit differently. As the name suggests, it’s intravenous, which means a tiny line is placed in your arm, and the medication starts working almost instantly. You’ll feel drowsy and very relaxed, and sometimes you may even drift in and out, but you’ll still respond if we speak to you.

This type of sedation provides more control and can be adjusted during the procedure, which means we can keep you at the right comfort level the whole way through.

👉 Again, this is only offered to adults — we do not provide IV sedation for children.

Safety First

Your safety is, of course, our top priority. Sedation at Trafalgar Family Dental Onehunga is always carried out by a trained dentist who has completed extra training and certification in dental sedation.

The medication we use most often is called midazolam. It’s been used in dentistry for many years and has an excellent safety record.

A pre-sedation consultation is very important before any sedation procedure. This is our chance to talk through your medical history, check your current medications, and make sure sedation is the right and safe option for you.

And whether you’re having oral sedation or IV sedation, you are always monitored with modern equipment including a capnograph (which tracks your breathing) as well as other vital signs. Our sedation support staff have completed formal training in line with the Dental Council of New Zealand requirements for patient monitoring, so you’ll be in safe hands from start to finish.

Who Is Sedation For?

Sedation might be a good option if you:

•Feel very nervous about dental visits

•Have had difficult or painful experiences in the past

•Need a long or more complex treatment

Will I be asleep?

No — sedation is not the same as general anesthesia. You’ll be relaxed, drowsy, and less aware of what’s happening, but you’ll still be able to respond if needed.

Is it safe?

Yes. We only use medicines that are well researched and have a strong safety record. You’ll also be continuously monitored with a capnograph and other equipment by our trained sedation team.

Do I need to bring someone with me?

Yes. You won’t be able to drive home after sedation, so you’ll need a responsible adult to come with you.

Can children have sedation?

Oral sedation can be used in children in general dentistry, but we do not provide oral or IV sedation for children here at Trafalgar Family Dental.

👉 At Trafalgar Family Dental, our goal is simple: to make your dental treatment as stress-free as possible. If you’re worried about your visit, talk to us about sedation — we’ll walk you through your options and help you decide what’s best for you.