Treatment under sedation and anaesthesia

Comfortable, safe dental treatment "in your sleep" for patients with strong fear or special needs.

Modern methods of medicated sleep (intravenous sedation or general endotracheal anaesthesia) under the supervision of an experienced anaesthesiologist. The service is ideal for patients with dental phobia (a strong fear of the drill), a pronounced gag reflex, for carrying out a large amount of treatment in a single visit, or for more complex surgical procedures. During the medicated sleep the patient's vital functions are fully monitored by modern equipment and a highly qualified anaesthesiologist. You simply fall asleep in a comfortable chair and wake up with your teeth already treated — with no pain, no noise of instruments and no unpleasant memories.

What the visit includes

Continuous monitoring by an anaesthesiologist
Treatment in your sleep, without pain or fear
All the work in a single visit
Quick, easy waking up

When this procedure is needed

01Panic fear of treatment: the visit is postponed for years while the teeth deteriorate.
02A large amount of work is needed and you would rather not split it across five appointments.
03A pronounced gag reflex: ordinary treatment is hard to tolerate.
04Special needs that make an ordinary appointment impossible.
05Individual resistance to local anaesthesia.

How the visit goes

1
E-consultation with the anaesthesiologist
Before the appointment the patient or their carers fill in a health form covering chronic conditions, allergies and medication; where needed the patient is referred for additional tests.
2
Preparation
No food for six hours before the procedure, no drink for two. Come with someone who can see you safely home. Driving and operating machinery are not recommended for 24 hours after the procedure.
3
The procedure
The anaesthesiologist stays beside you throughout, watching pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation. The dentist does in one visit what normally takes four or five.
4
Waking and observation
Afterwards you stay under observation until the anaesthesiologist is satisfied that all is well. Usually that is a quarter of an hour to half an hour.

After the procedure

Go home with someone. A taxi on your own is not an option, even if you feel alert.
Do not drive or sign anything important for 24 hours: reaction and attention do not come back at once.
Your first meal should be light and warm, not hot. Start with small sips of water.
No alcohol for a day: it combines badly with what is left of the medication.
If you feel nauseous or dizzy or run a temperature, please contact the clinic at the first opportunity.

Prices for this service:

Anaesthesiologist e-consultation

50 €

Sedation, first hour

220 €

Sedation, each additional hour

220 €

See the full price list →

Treatment covered by Tervisekassa

For patients with a confirmed severe disability or special mental health needs, and for children up to 19 (where indicated), Tervisekassa covers this treatment — you pay nothing at the clinic. Ask reception what applies in your case.

Frequently asked questions

Is sedation the same as general anaesthesia?: It is a controlled state of calm: you breathe on your own and respond when spoken to, but there is no anxiety or fear. The anaesthesiologist is beside you the whole time.
Can I drive after the procedure?: No, not for 24 hours. And go home with someone — a taxi on your own is not an option, even if you feel alert.
Is sedation used for children?: Yes, where indicated and after an examination by the anaesthesiologist. Usually these are cases where familiarisation visits have not worked.
Which anaesthetic is used if I have an allergy or a heart condition?: A different one — there are several preparations to choose from. The usual ones contain adrenaline: it makes the numbness last longer and reduces bleeding. With certain heart conditions, with high blood pressure and in pregnancy we use a formulation without it or at a reduced dose. For an allergy to a specific drug we need its name and, if you have one, the allergist's report: the dentist then picks an agent from another group. Tell us before the appointment rather than in the chair.
Can I eat and drink before the appointment?: With ordinary anaesthesia you should: eat an hour or so before, as an empty stomach makes light-headedness more likely. With sedation and general anaesthesia it is the opposite: nothing to eat for 6 hours and nothing to drink for 2 hours beforehand, or the procedure has to be moved. In that case you also cannot drive — bring someone with you.