Key guidance to read first

Sedation therapy · conscious sedation at a glance

What is this treatment?
Sedation dentistry is a conscious sedation method in which an intravenous sedative is administered to reduce tension and anxiety during dental treatment. It is different from general anesthesia, and the depth of sedation and memory of the treatment vary by individual.
What concerns are addressed?
I feel fear from dental-specific smells and sounds; injection needles are the scariest
What precautions are there?
During sedation respiratory depression, hypoxia, blood pressure changes, nausea, and drug allergy can occur. Medical history and fasting instructions must be confirmed.

Related clinician: Director Kang Do-wook · Periodontics · Integrated Dental Medicine specialist

Check non-insured items and amounts
BEFORE YOUR VISIT

Preparing for a sedation consultation

A few things to consider before booking.

Tell us during your consultation

  • The care you are seeking and your main concerns about dental treatment
  • Your current health, medications and previous sedation or anesthesia experience
  • Whether you can arrange an accompanying adult and transport home

Helpful items to prepare

  • A list showing the names of your current medications
  • Previous treatment records or images, if available

Questions to ask

  • Is sedation appropriate for my condition?
  • What individual instructions do I need about fasting, medications, an accompanying adult and getting home?
Contact the clinic

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The Good Morning Dental Clinic 02-969-3776

Read the related guidance
01 / YOUR CONCERNS

Do you have these concerns?

I feel fear from dental-specific smells and sounds
Injection needles are the scariest
I gag when instruments enter my mouth
I have many treatment sites so I must come multiple times
I can’t keep my mouth open for long
02 / UNDERSTAND YOUR CARE

What is sedation therapy · conscious sedation?

Sedation dentistry is a conscious sedation method in which an intravenous sedative is administered to reduce tension and anxiety during dental treatment. It is different from general anesthesia, and the depth of sedation and memory of the treatment vary by individual.

I delayed for years because I was scared

Tell us what is most difficult: dental smells, sounds, injections, or gagging. To reduce anxiety we explain procedures in detail and adjust explanation speed and treatment time as needed.

What’s the difference between sedation and general anesthesia?

Under conscious sedation patients usually breathe on their own and can respond to speech or stimuli. General anesthesia is an unconscious state requiring airway and breathing management. Sedation can deepen unexpectedly and cause respiratory depression, so monitoring and emergency response are necessary.

Pain control is combined with local anesthesia

Sedation reduces anxiety and tension but is not the same as local anesthesia that removes pain. Local anesthesia is used for procedures as needed. Perception and memory of sound, vibration, and pain vary by person and neither complete painlessness nor memory loss is guaranteed.

Can multiple sites be treated together?

Sedation can be considered for implants, wisdom tooth extraction, caries/root canal treatment, bone grafting, sinus lift, and gum surgery. Combining treatments in one session can reduce visits but depends on treatment volume, systemic status, and healing time; staging may be necessary.

Patient status is checked from sedation to recovery

We review medical history, medications, sleep apnea, and past anesthesia reactions before deciding sedation. Vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation are monitored during treatment; recovery is confirmed and the patient is discharged with a guardian. Avoid driving, drinking alcohol, operating machinery, or making important decisions that day.

Limits and precautions to know

During sedation respiratory depression, hypoxia, blood pressure changes, nausea, and drug allergy can occur. Medical history and fasting instructions must be confirmed.

03 / THE GOOD MORNING WAY

How The Good Morning provides care

  1. A board member of the Korean Association of Dental Anesthesiology adjusts sedation depth according to patient condition.
  2. Patient status is monitored throughout the procedure with monitoring devices.
  3. We explain procedures in detail to reduce dental anxiety.
  4. If sedation is not appropriate we will explain other methods and care environments.
04 / STEP BY STEP

From diagnosis to aftercare: the treatment course.

  1. 01Consultation and check of overall condition · current medications
  2. 02Individual guidance on fasting · medications · accompaniment by a guardian
  3. 03Sedation · necessary local anesthesia and monitoring
  4. 04Recovery assessment · return home with a guardian · no driving on the same day

Actual sequence and number of visits are adjusted according to test results and recovery.

Consultation tailored to your condition
05 / YOUR QUESTIONS · 18 QUESTIONS

Questions you might have before care.

01Do I really fall asleep?
May feel asleep but differs from general anesthesia. Some consciousness remains and you can respond; memory depth varies by individual.
02How is it different from general anesthesia?
Conscious sedation typically allows spontaneous breathing and responses to speech or stimuli. General anesthesia involves unconsciousness and requires airway and breathing management. Sedation can deepen unexpectedly causing respiratory depression, so monitoring and emergency response are needed.
03Can I drive after sedation?
Absolutely not. Judgment and reaction speed may be impaired similarly to drunk driving. Be accompanied by a guardian and avoid public transport alone.
04How much extra does it cost?
Sedation is non-covered and varies by treatment time and scope. It is charged separately from treatment cost and explained at consultation.
05How many hours fasting?
Fasting reduces risk of reflux and aspiration of stomach contents. Guidelines vary by food type, sedation plan and health status, so follow individualized instructions given at booking. If you ate against guidance, do not hide it — inform us.
06What treatments can be done under sedation?
Consider for implants, wisdom tooth extraction, cavity·root canal treatment, bone graft, sinus lift and gum surgery. Sedation suitability and single-session scope decided by systemic condition and treatment plan.
07I’ve been too scared to go to the dentist for years — can I also receive treatment?
If you’ve postponed care due to dental phobia, please tell us first what specifically scared you. Conscious sedation is one option, and after an examination we also explain options such as staging treatment, adjusting explanations, or allowing adaptation time.
08Will I feel pain during sedation treatment?
Sedation reduces anxiety; local anesthesia is used for pain control. Sensation and memory vary so pain-free cannot be guaranteed.
09Are sedation drugs harmful to the body?
Sedatives carry risks like respiratory depression, hypoxia, blood pressure changes, nausea and allergies. Check history and medications and monitor from sedation to recovery. If risk is high guide other treatment environments.
10Does sedation really cause memory loss?
Memory may be reduced or partial depending on person, sedation depth and drugs. Total amnesia is not guaranteed.
11I have strong gag reflex — will sedation help?
May reduce gag reflex. Check severity, cause and systemic condition; reflex may not completely disappear.
12Can children receive sedation?
Depends on age, cooperation and systemic status. Guardian consultation recommended first.
13Can people with hypertension or diabetes have sedation?
Conscious sedation may help but is not suitable for everyone. Decide after evaluating systemic condition, medications, airway risk and treatment scope; refer to higher-level institutions if needed.
14Is a guardian absolutely needed for sedation treatment?
Have an adult guardian accompany you. Even if you feel awake, judgment and reaction can be impaired; do not go home alone or drive.
15How long to rest after sedation?
Recovery time varies by drugs and systemic condition. Clinician confirms recovery and the adult guardian escorts you home. Avoid driving, alcohol, operating machinery, or important decisions the same day and follow individual guidance before resuming activities.
16Can sedation allow finishing treatment in one visit?
Sometimes multiple areas can be combined to reduce visits, but treatment volume, systemic condition and healing may require multiple sessions.
17Are there cases where sedation is not possible?
Yes. Pregnancy, inability to fast, or uncontrolled severe disease are cases where sedation is not recommended; pre-consultation decides alternatives.
18Is sedation cost covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage depends on age, oral condition, treatment purpose and current item criteria. After diagnosis, get a breakdown of covered and non-covered items. Check costs of treatments and sedation separately.

Explore this treatment further

Treatment questions: 18Director’s explanatory videos
Sedation treatment

Also see related treatments

Sedation implants +Wisdom tooth extraction +Advanced bone grafting +Caries treatment +Sleep treatment for patients with disabilities +Systemic disease conscious sedation +Dental terms glossary +
Treatment case publication guidance

This information is for general understanding and does not replace clinician diagnosis. Treatment methods, durations, effects, and side effects vary by individual and require sufficient consultation before care.