Full arch dental implants (All-on-4®) and sedation: Which option is right for me?

If you’re replacing badly damaged or missing teeth with full mouth dental implants (including All-on-4®), it’s natural to have concerns about the procedure. Your dentist will give you all the information you need and answer all of your questions to help put your mind at ease, including what type of sedation they offer.

While some dental clinics have limited choices, we offer a full range of sedation options for full arch replacement at Perth Dental Implant Centre. Whether you prefer to be fully conscious, fully sedated, or you just need some help to relax during your procedure.

Read more about our sedation approaches or book a consultation with our experienced implant dentists in Perth to discuss your options. We’ll assess your medical history and other risk factors to help you make a fully informed decision about what’s best for your needs.

Local anaesthesia

For people who are comfortable having dental treatment awake, local anaesthetic is usually all that’s required to numb pain during full arch dental implant surgery. This is safely injected into the parts of the mouth being treated, about 10–15 minutes before the procedure begins. The anaesthesia numbs the mouth and blocks pain signals to the brain, you will only feel mild pressure.

Local anaesthesia doesn’t typically have side effects, but you should avoid consuming alcohol 24 hours before and after your treatment. As it can take a few hours for the anaesthetic to fully wear off, so you should also take care when eating, though it won’t affect your ability to drive or return to normal activities.

Full arch dental implant surgery is typically performed under general anaesthesia, however local anaesthesia is an option for clients with certain medical restrictions. Recovery is quick so you are able to return to normal activities after surgery, including driving home.

Local anaesthetic is the most affordable sedation option with or without health insurance, but some people may require a stronger form of sedation, especially if they feel anxious about having dental treatment.

Here is a summary of pros and cons of implant surgery under local anaesthesia:

Pros

• Fully awake and aware during the procedure
• Minimal after-effects
• Quick recovery time
• Low cost compared to other sedation options
• Safest option for clients with certain medical conditions

Cons

• Patients may feel pressure, vibrations, or sounds, which may be unsettling
• Anxiety isn’t managed, making it unsuitable for highly nervous patients

Oral sedation

If you have mild dental anxiety or think you could use some help to feel calm and relaxed during your treatment, our dentists may be able to provide oral sedation in the form of a tablet. This may make you feel groggy, but you’ll normally be conscious and able to respond to your dentist. Local anaesthesia will be used in addition to an oral sedative to help to numb pain.

Oral sedatives can take up to an hour to come into effect, so your dentist will recommend taking the tablet an hour before your procedure. As the medication can affect motor skills, you shouldn’t drive yourself to or from the clinic.

Your dentist will review your medical history during your consultation, as you may not be suitable for oral sedation if you have certain pre-existing medical conditions. Oral sedation is also not recommended if you have high dental anxiety.

Pros

• Simple to administer (tablet taken 1 hour prior to surgery)
• Reduces anxiety and promotes a relaxed state
• Minimal equipment needed compared to IV sedation
• Low cost compared to IV or general anaesthesia

Cons

• Sedation level is unpredictable as it is based on metabolism
• Cannot adjust sedation once medication is taken
• Requires someone to accompany you to and from the clinic
• You cannot drive home after surgery

Sleep dentistry (intravenous (IV) sedation)

IV sedation is the most common sedation method use for implant surgery at Perth Dental Implant Centre.

If you have a higher level of dental anxiety or don’t feel comfortable about your procedure, intravenous (IV) sedation or sleep dentistry may be preferred. This can help you to feel calm and relaxed and will usually send you to sleep during the procedure, with no memory of the experience afterwards.

If you choose to have IV sedation, you should avoid driving or operating machinery for 24 hours afterwards, as it can take this long for the sedatives to leave your system. You may not be suitable if you have a respiratory condition such as asthma.

IV sedation is provided by a qualified GP anaesthetist at our clinic in Applecross, who will closely monitor your condition at all times. Anaesthetist fees apply, but you may be able to claim a portion of this back through Medicare or your private health fund.

Pros

• Allows precise control of sedation levels
• Patient is deeply relaxed and unaware of the procedure
• Quick onset and recovery compared to oral sedation
• Procedure takes place at the clinic and not in hospital
• No recollection of the procedure
• Suitable for highly anxious patients
• Most affordable option for patients without private health insurance and hospital cover

Cons:

• Requires a trained anaesthetist and specialised equipment
• Costs more than local and oral sedation
• May cause mild nausea or grogginess post-procedure
• May not suitable for patients with certain medical conditions
• Requires someone to accompany you to and from the clinic
• You cannot drive home after surgery

General anaesthesia

For more complex implant procedures or severe dental anxiety, general anaesthesia may be the best option. This is a heavier form of sedation that involves a longer recovery time, up to 48 hours. You will be unconscious during your treatment and will only wake up after it’s been completed.

If you choose to have general anaesthesia, this will be administered by a qualified GP anaesthetist at Southbank Day Surgery in South Perth. Hospital and anaesthetist fees apply, but you may be able to claim some of this back through Medicare or your insurance.

If your private health insurance includes hospital cover and dental extras, general anaesthesia may be more affordable than IV sedation. However, general anaesthesia has BMI restrictions that could make some patients unsuitable.

Pros

• Patient is completely unconscious, eliminating awareness and anxiety
• Ideal for complex or lengthy procedures
• Ensures absolute stillness during the surgery

Cons

• Requires the patient attend hospital/ day surgery
• Longest recovery period with potential side effects like nausea or sore throat
• Involves higher risks, especially for medically compromised patients
• May not be suitable for patients with certain medical conditions
• Costly for patients without private health insurance and hospital cover

To find out more about our dental sedation options and discuss your eligibility, risks and costs, contact our local clinic in Applecross today.

How to choose the right sedation option for me?

You and your dentist will sit down to discuss all the sedation options available and decide on the safest and most suitable option for your surgery. The right sedation option will depend on a range of factors:

• The complexity of your procedure (your surgeon can anticipate this)
• Your anxiety levels and medical history
• Budget constraints and insurance coverage
• Your surgeon's recommendations and the facility's resources

What to expect from full arch dental implant (All-on-4®) treatment

At Perth Dental Implant Centre, we’ll make sure you know what to expect at every stage of your implant treatment. Our head dentists, Dr Dave Norcross and Dr David O'Dowling are highly accredited in the industry and has completed advanced training in full arch implant procedures, helping hundreds of clients restore their smiles.

Our treatment process involves five stages:

Stage 1: Consultation and 3D smile planning

Our dentist will perform a comprehensive assessment of your mouth and jaw to determine your suitability for full mouth dental implants.

We will also begin developing your personalised treatment plan, including a detailed discussion about your needs, concerns, and preferred type of sedation.

Using advanced digital technology, we collect precise pre-operative records to support the accurate design and fit of your new teeth, including:

• Face scanning
• Digital CBCT alignment
• Photogrammetry
• Intra-oral scanning

In most cases, all digital pre-operative records can be completed in a single appointment.

For clients travelling long distances, these records can often be completed on the day of surgery.

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Stage 2: Implant placement & immediate teeth

Full arch dental implants including All-on-4® are placed in a single appointment under your choice of sedation. If bone grafting is needed, this is performed at the same time.

Abutments are attached to the implants and impressions taken for our dental technician to design your new implant bridge to be fitted the next day.

Stage 3: Healing & Guided Reviews

Dental implants begin to bond with the jawbone and complete the healing process within three to six months.

During this time, you'll attend two follow-up appointments to check your healing progress and make any adjustments to ensure your temporary teeth are comfortable and functional.

We'll also show you how to use your water flosser to clean under your implant bridges.

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Stage 4: Crafting your long-term teeth

When you’re ready for long-term teeth, we take precise digital scans and work closely with our lab technician to custom-design your ceramic bridge.

Using advanced technology, we refine the shape, shade and fit to complement your facial features, smile and bite—delivering a natural, balanced result.

Stage 5: Ongoing care & maintenance

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Perhaps the most important step in the treatment journey is what happens after your final teeth are fitted.

We schedule regular ongoing hygiene maintenance appointments every six to twelve months and take x-rays every 12 to 24 months to monitor your dental implants and bone health.

Find out more about dental implants and sleep dentistry in Perth

For more information about sleep dentistry options for full arch dental implants (All-on-4®) at our Perth clinic, call our friendly team on 1300 108 133.