IV Sedation vs General Anaesthetic: What’s the Difference?

If you’re weighing up your options for wisdom teeth, a complex extraction or dental implants, you’ve probably come across two terms: IV sedation and general anaesthetic. Both can make treatment far more comfortable, but they work quite differently. Here’s how to tell them apart.

IV Sedation (Sleep Dentistry)

With IV sedation, sedative medication is delivered directly into a vein, putting you into a deeply relaxed, sleep-like state. You are not fully unconscious, and you continue breathing on your own throughout, but you won’t feel anything and you won’t remember the procedure afterwards.

IV sedation is performed in our clinic, recovery is quick, and it’s generally more affordable, especially with the Medicare rebate that applies to eligible patients.

General Anaesthetic

General anaesthetic makes you fully unconscious for the procedure. It’s administered by a specialist anaesthetist in a hospital setting, with your breathing supported and closely monitored throughout.

We arrange general anaesthetic treatment at St John of God Private Hospital Midland and Waikiki Private Hospital, and it’s often the preferred option for extensive or highly complex treatment, severe anxiety, or patients with additional needs.

The key differences

• Consciousness: with IV sedation you’re deeply relaxed but breathing independently; with general anaesthetic you’re fully unconscious
• Setting: IV sedation happens in our clinic; general anaesthetic takes place at hospital as day surgery
• Recovery: IV sedation recovery is typically faster; general anaesthetic may take a little longer to fully wear off
• Cost: IV sedation is generally more affordable and attracts a Medicare rebate; general anaesthetic can be gap free with hospital cover, or involves hospital fees without it
• Best suited for: IV sedation suits most routine to complex dental treatment; general anaesthetic suits the most extensive, complex or anxiety-driven cases

Which one is right for you?

There’s no single right answer, it depends on your procedure, your medical history and how you feel about dental treatment. During your consultation, we’ll talk through both options and recommend what we believe is the safest and most comfortable choice for your situation.

Call us on 08 6118 2616 to discuss which sedation option suits you, or book a consultation online.