Recovering well is part of the treatment.
What to expect once your sedation is finished, what your escort needs to know, and how to look after yourself for the rest of the day — for both dental and medical sedation, with the small differences noted where they apply.
We don’t expect any problems, but if you’re ever concerned about anything afterwards, however small it seems, please contact your sedationist or our office.
Straight after
You’ll be monitored until you’re ready — typically around 20 minutes for dental sedation, and 45–60 minutes for medical.
Rest of the day
A quiet day at home, with your escort nearby — no driving, no decisions, no responsibilities.
Back to normal
Most people feel entirely normal by the next day, once the medication has fully cleared.
Leaving after your procedure
You won’t be sent home the moment treatment ends — you’ll be monitored until you meet clear discharge criteria, not simply because a set amount of time has passed.
- Dental sedation: most patients are ready to leave around 20 minutes after sedation finishes.
- Medical sedation: recovery is commonly a little longer, around 45–60 minutes, before you’re ready to go.
- Your pre-arranged escort must be present as you leave — we can’t discharge you without them, and we can’t give a precise time in advance, as everyone recovers at their own pace.
- You’ll travel home by car, taxi or with your escort on public transport — the London Underground is best avoided.
Your escort
The same responsible-adult rule applies whether you’ve had dental or medical sedation — a few details differ, noted below.
- Your escort needs to be a responsible adult (18 or over), and must stay with you for the rest of the day — occasionally overnight, if your sedation finishes later in the afternoon.
- They’ll also receive your aftercare instructions, so they know what to look out for.
- Medical sedation only — your escort should help make sure any prescribed medication is taken with meals as noted on your medication chart, and should encourage you to rest rather than move around, since staying sedentary (with an ice pack, if relevant) aids comfort in a way it doesn’t after most dental procedures.
- If you feel nauseous after a medical procedure — this is uncommon, but more likely than after dental sedation — lie down until it passes, and stick to sips of still or carbonated water rather than a large amount at once.
- Guidelines don’t allow us to send you home alone. If you arrive without an escort, we may need to postpone your treatment.
Your judgement is affected for longer than you might expect
It can take up to 24 hours for the sedative to fully clear — even once you feel back to normal. For 24 hours after your sedation, please do not:
- Drive or cycle (your insurance is void)
- Use electrical equipment, cook, or operate machinery
- Care for children or dependent adults
- Make important decisions, or sign legal documents
- Drink alcohol, or take sleeping tablets, tobacco or recreational drugs
- Carry out complicated or safety-critical tasks
- Return to work
Quick questions
When can I go back to work?
Not on the day of your sedation — plan for the next day instead. Most people feel entirely normal by then, once the medication has fully cleared.
Will I remember the procedure?
Sedation produces a variable degree of temporary amnesia, which usually clears soon after the procedure but can occasionally last a few hours — this is expected, not a cause for concern.
What if I feel unwell afterwards?
Mild drowsiness or a little nausea (more common after medical procedures) is normal. If anything feels wrong beyond that, however trivial it seems, call your sedationist or our office — we’d always rather you asked.
Still preparing for your appointment? See how to prepare → Curious why sedation might help? See the goals & benefits of sedation →