Whether you suffer from overwhelming dental anxiety, have a severe gag reflex, or simply need extensive dental work completed in a single comfortable visit, you are not alone. Our judgement-free dental clinic on Level 1, 45 Grenfell Street (directly opposite City Cross) specialises in anxiety-managed dentistry. We provide customisable sedation options, including convenient in-house Happy Gas and IV Sedation coordinated through an accredited local Day Surgery, helping you receive complex care with minimal stress.
Tailored Dental Sedation Options: Which Is Right for You?
We understand that every patient’s anxiety levels and medical needs are different. We provide customisable anaesthetic solutions designed to help patients seeking pain-free dentistry experience a highly comfortable visit.
Below is a quick guide to help you understand your options before your consultation:
| Sedation Type | Anxiety Level | Patient Experience | Recovery Time | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happy Gas (Nitrous Oxide) | Mild to Moderate | Awake, highly relaxed, and aware. | Immediate (can drive home). | Routine cleans, fillings, mild nervousness. |
| IV Sedation (Twilight Dentistry) | Moderate to Severe | Deeply relaxed, dream-like state. Little to no memory of the procedure. | Groggy. Requires a chaperone to drive home. | Generally all general dentistry procedures (e.g., wisdom teeth removal, crown treatments, implants), severe phobia, gag reflex. |
What to Expect: Your Sedation Journey
We believe in complete transparency to help ease your fears. Here is exactly what happens when you choose IV Sedation with us:
The Pre-Admission Consultation
We discuss your dental history, evaluate your medical suitability, provide a clear, upfront quote regarding your overall sleep dentistry price, and advise you on fasting requirements prior to your IV procedure.
The Day of Treatment
You will arrive at our partnered Day Surgery facility. A dedicated AHPRA-endorsed anaesthetist will gently administer the anaesthetic into a vein, which keeps you comfortable, sleepy, and relaxed.
The Procedure
While Dr. Berly Lo performs the necessary general dental work, you will rest peacefully. While you remain conscious and easy to wake, you may drift off to sleep at times. Your vital signs, including your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, are continuously monitored by the specialist anaesthetist the entire time.
The Recovery
You will wake up feeling groggy but with your dental work completely finished. Your chaperone can then meet you at the Day Surgery location to take you home safely.
Sleep Dentistry Price & Ideal Candidates
We believe fear shouldn’t compromise your oral health or your budget. We provide fully transparent, upfront quotes so there are no surprises.
- Happy Gas is offered in-house at our Grenfell Street clinic, with prices starting from $200.
- IV Sedation is performed at our partnered Day Surgery and starts from $2,000.
Understanding Your IV Sedation Fees
Sleep dentistry via IV sedation involves three separate pricing components:
- The General Dental Work: Billed by Adelaide DentalCare (full payment required on the day of the surgery).
- The Anaesthetist’s Fee: Billed separately by the anaesthetist.
- The Day Surgery Facility Fee: Billed separately by the day surgery facility.
Ultimately, your out-of-pocket costs will vary based on the type of general dental treatment required and your private health insurance coverage.
Please note that the Day Surgery requires their facility fee to be paid in full upon admission. During your consultation, our team will provide you with all the necessary documentation regarding day surgery billing, fasting requirements, and exactly what to bring on the day of your procedure.
Sleep dentistry and sedation are highly recommended for:
- Anxious Patients: Those suffering from severe dental phobia or past dental trauma.
- Complex Procedures: Individuals needing invasive treatments, such as crowns, IV sedation wisdom teeth removal, and single or full-arch dental implants.
- Physical Barriers: Those with a very low pain threshold, extreme teeth sensitivity, or a severe gag reflex.
- Time-Poor Professionals: Patients wanting to combine multiple treatments into one efficient appointment.
- Special Needs: Patients with physical or cognitive conditions that make sitting comfortably in a dental chair difficult.
Trusted Expertise in the Heart of Adelaide
Led by Dr. Berly Lo, who brings 13 years of dedicated clinical experience, our team is highly skilled in treating nervous patients with compassion and precision. For our IV sedation patients, we coordinate your care with an accredited local Day Surgery. This ensures your anaesthetic is administered by a dedicated, AHPRA-endorsed anaesthetist in a highly monitored clinical setting. This safety-focused approach allows Dr. Lo to focus entirely on delivering gentle dental care while your comfort is medically managed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IV sedation exactly?
IV sedation (intravenous sedation) is a type of anaesthesia where you remain conscious, but are kept highly comfortable and relaxed.
Is dental anaesthesia safe?
Yes, your vital signs (such as breathing patterns and blood pressure) are strictly and continuously monitored by a qualified specialist throughout the entire appointment to support your safety.
Am I actually asleep?
With happy gas and IV sedation, you are awake but deeply relaxed. It is different from a general anaesthetic, as you will not be completely unconscious, though most patients feel as though they have slept and remember very little of the appointment.
Organise your next appointment today
Contact our friendly team for more information, or book directly online to arrange your next visit.