Sedation Dentist in Surrey
Is there anything that can help me with my fear of the dentist?
What is Sedation?
Also known as Relaxation Dentistry, sedation dentistry uses a variety of techniques to help calm your nerves during dental visits. From light sedation to more advanced options, these techniques are designed to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
At Woodbridge Hill Dental Practice in Surrey, our team understands how anxiety can impact your dental care, and we are committed to providing a relaxing environment. You can discuss your concerns with our dentist to explore sedation options tailored to your needs, ensuring a calm, stress-free visit.
Don’t let fear stop you from receiving the dental care you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about our sedation options and experience a more comfortable dental visit.
We offer different Dental Sedation Options for nervous patients in Surrey:

Oral Sedation
Oral sedation, which offer by sedation dentist in Surrey is prescribed for relieving anxiety in the hours immediately before a dental appointment. Not only do these medications have a sedative effect they also have some degree of amnesic effect for most people. Patients remember little or nothing about their dental appointment.
Advantages of Dental Oral Sedation
- Easy to administer: Swallow a small pill
- Works well for most people
- It is safe and easy to monitor
- Low Cost

Inhalation Sedation (Laughing Gas)
If you experience anxiety during dental procedures, inhalation sedation, also known as relative analgesia or laughing gas, offers a simple and effective solution to help you relax.
This method involves inhaling a mixture of gases, inducing a pleasant, relaxed sensation almost instantly. While you remain conscious throughout the treatment, you may feel slightly drowsy and completely at ease, with any dental work performed painlessly. The gas is administered through a comfortable nosepiece, and the effects wear off quickly as the gas is eliminated from your system with a few breaths of ordinary air.
Key Benefits of Inhalation Sedation:
- No risk of overdose: The gas is safe, and your body eliminates it rapidly.
- No lingering after-effects: You can return to your usual activities, including driving, approximately 15 minutes after the procedure.
- Ideal for all ages: This sedation method is safe and effective for both adults and young children or teenagers.
At Woodbridge Hill Dental Practice in Surrey, laughing gas is the most commonly used sedation option, offering a comfortable, anxiety-free dental experience for patients of all ages. Contact us today to discuss how inhalation sedation can help make your visit more relaxed and stress-free.
Advantages of Dental Inhalation Sedation
- Rapid Onset
- Flexible duration can be used for any appointment length
- Absolute Control. It is easy to quickly control the level of sedation which may be altered moment to moment.
- People recover quickly
- Very few side effects
- There is an analgesic effet
- You can return to normal activities immediately
IV Sedation
For patients seeking deeper relaxation during dental procedures, IV sedation is an effective and safe option. Unlike inhalation sedation (laughing gas), IV sedation delivers a more profound level of relaxation and comfort, making it ideal for more complex treatments or for those with heightened dental anxiety.
How is the IV Sedation Administered?
IV sedation involves the insertion of a thin needle into a vein, typically in your arm or hand. The medication is delivered through an intravenous tube, providing continuous sedation throughout the procedure. Depending on your needs, some patients may fall asleep completely, while others may simply feel deeply relaxed, slipping in and out of sleep.
The goal of IV sedation is to use the minimum amount of medication required to complete the treatment effectively. For patients with specific medical conditions or on certain medications, the sedation may be lighter, ensuring safety while still providing relief.
IV sedation is very safe!
Book Your Appointment
Contact Woodbridge Dental today if you have any queries about the sedation dentist in Surrey services. Our opening hours are 8.00 A.M. until 6.00 P.M., Monday – Friday, and 8.00 A.M. until 3.00 P.M. on Saturdays.
You can call us on 01483 568 584. Alternatively, you can use our easy online booking service or send an email to reception@woodbridgedental.co.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Click here to find out more about our offers and new patient deals.
Hypnotheraphy (Hypnosis)
Hypnosis, also known as hypnotherapy, is a natural and relaxed state where the conscious mind is quieted, allowing access to the unconscious mind. It’s similar to the everyday moments when you find yourself lost in thought, daydreaming, or even in a deep focus like while driving or exercising.
In dentistry, hypnotherapy can be highly effective for addressing various concerns, including:
- Controlling a strong gag reflex
- Treating chronic facial pain
- Modifying habits such as teeth grinding
- Reducing anxiety and stress during dental treatments
Hypnosis works by introducing positive suggestions into the unconscious mind, allowing you to “reprogram” how you think and feel, making it a powerful tool for overcoming dental fears or discomforts. It’s a natural state of relaxation, much like daydreaming, where you’re still vaguely aware of your surroundings, but your mind is free to focus on calming thoughts.
Hypnotherapy works well for many patients, but an initial assessment is necessary to determine if it’s the right choice for your specific needs. At Woodbridge Hill Dental Practice in Surrey, we offer hypnotherapy as a gentle and effective method to help you feel relaxed and at ease during your dental visit.

FAQs: Sedation Dentist in Surrey answers your frequently asked questions
Fear of the dentist is more common than you might think. You may have put off appointments in the past yourself due to worries of painful procedures, negative experiences with past dental work, or phobia of needles. You may have heard of sedation dentistry as a comfortable solution to nerves in the dentist’s chair. A sedation dentist in Surrey can answer all the frequently asked questions you may have about this option, and provide an individually tailored, caring and compassionate alternative to ensure you get the treatment you want.
Many patients can find visits to the dentist a stressful experience. But when your anxiety holds you back from taking the first step, it can be helpful to look at the reasons why.
- Past negative experience with either dental procedures or poor relationships with previous dentists
- Particularly sensitive teeth
- Resistance to local anaesthetic
- Embarrassment of your teeth – particularly if you haven’t been to the dentist in a long period
- Gag reflex interfering with procedures
- Fears of drills or needles
- General high anxiety
If you found yourself identifying with one or more of these worries, you may be a candidate for sedation dentistry.
In sedation dentistry, medication is administered to the patient before or during the procedure, to ensure you are in a comfortable, anxiety-free state while your dental work is completed. There are various options available depending on the individual needs of the patient and levels of anxiety involved.
Inhalation Sedation (Laughing gas) – Controlled sedation where the patient inhales gas through a mask connected to a machine. Designed for simpler procedures and lower levels of anxiety. A good option for very young children.
Oral Sedation – Ingestion of a sedative, in pill or liquid form before the procedure. A weaker alternative to IV sedation, if the patient has phobia of needles.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation – Sedative injected directly into the vein, with the dosage controlled by your dentist. This is a fast-acting procedure and the most effective for highly anxious patients.
Yes. You will remain conscious, but in an intensely relaxed state. You will be able to respond to your dentist’s instructions but will be heavily distracted from the procedure. A lengthy appointment will appear to pass much quicker than reality, and it is likely you will remember little of the process.
Absolutely. IV sedation can usually be used for older children and teenagers. However, for younger kids Inhalation Sedation may be the best option when IV sedation is not viable.
Sedation dentistry is designed for patients with phobia of pain in mind. The tooth or the area will still usually need to be anaesthetised after the sedation, hence there will not be any pain during your procedure, with IV sedation being the most effective in this regard.
This varies greatly depending on the extent of work needed, and the patient’s own needs. Longer procedures may take up to an hour or two.
This is dependent on the length of appointment, method of sedation, and dosage during the procedure. For shorter procedures involving nitrous oxide, the recovery will be rapid, and you will be safe to drive afterwards. For IV and oral sedation, you will need someone to drive you to and from the appointment, as the sedative will take time to wear off. Avoid consumption of alcohol, driving and operation of heavy machinery. By the next day, you will have recovered.
Sedation dentistry is generally a safe as well as a relaxing option. However, patients with heart and respiratory conditions, and those with diabetes may require a doctor’s consultation and note before a procedure can go ahead. Similarly, obesity and sleep apnoea may be obstacles to controlled sedation.
Our Commitment to You:
At Woodbridge Hill Dental Practice, we believe that beauty is more than skin deep. That’s why we focus on understanding your desires and expectations, crafting a tailored treatment plan that reflects your unique beauty.
Visit Us at Our Convenient Guildford Location:
Woodbridge Hill Dental Practice
49A Woodbridge Hill
Guildford, GU2 9ZD
Call us today: 01483 568584
Opening Days: Monday to Saturday
Get in Touch Today!
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