Whether you suffer from slight anxiety or a debilitating phobia, you can be sure that your comfort is our top priority. We take the time to listen to your concerns and thoroughly explain everything involved throughout your visit. Our entire team go the extra mile to make your visit a relaxed and positive experience. Rest assured that you are not alone, many people are nervous but we are here to help.
Who is a good candidate for dental sedation?
- Fearful of a specific procedure (needles, drill or extraction)
- Nervous of visiting the dentist
- Previous traumatic experiences with dentists or dental treatments
- Difficulty becoming numb and are anxious about pain
- Nerves or fear are likely to impact on the quality or duration of treatment
- Difficulty controlling movements, for example those with Parkinson’s Disease or Cerebral Palsy
What are the benefits of dental sedation?
Dental sedation is completely safe and can help to calm and relax you. It can also reduce the fatigue associated with extended dental treatments, which can require longer visits. The numbing process is also likely to be more effective in calm patients and when you’re relaxed it will take less time for our clinicians to perform treatment, meaning less time in the chair for you. It can give patients confidence so that in time their fears are reduced and they undergo treatment sedation free.
Are there different types of sedation?
Yes, we offer two main types-inhalation ’laughing gas’ and IV sedation.
Inhalation Sedation: You breathe in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a nosepiece while the dentist puts you at ease through calming speech. You feel relaxed and may feel a little drowsy. You remain conscious throughout but any treatment given causes you no discomfort. There are no after-effects and you are able to drive a car about 15 minutes later. This is good for patients with a moderate-high level of anxiety and children.
IV Sedation: A sedative drug is administered into a vein in the arm or hand prior to having dental treatment. The effects of the drug last for approximately 2 hours, allowing treatment to be completed without any fear or apprehension. This type of sedation provides a profound reduction in anxiety. It also eliminates most if not all memory of the procedure. This is a very effective method of sedation for patients with very high levels of anxiety. However, you will require an escort for several hours after your treatment until the effects have worn off. Your dentist will give you specific instructions at your consultation appointment.
Will I be asleep?
No, you do not go to sleep and you will still be able to talk to us. The sedative will make you feel drowsy. Sedation is not a general anaesthetic.
Do I still need to be numbed?
Sedation is not an anaesthetic and numbing is still required but is done after you have been sedated.
Are there any special instructions?
We only do sedation after we have done a full pre-sedation assessment and have decided you are suitable for sedation. At your consultation appointment, the dentist will give you specific advice to follow for both before you attend and after you are discharged following treatment.
Will I be safe during the procedure?
Yes. We monitor your pulse, oxygen levels and blood pressure before, during and after the treatment. We only treat patients in the ASA I and II categories. These are patients who are either fully healthy or with mild well controlled systemic disease. This minimizes the risk during treatment. The doses of sedation used are very small and this all contributes to a very safe procedure.
How do I get started with dental sedation?
Book an initial consultation and visit our clinic to discuss your fears and concerns in person, answer any questions you may have and asses your suitability for dental sedation, before deciding if it is the best solution for you.
To find out more about dental sedation, book an appointment now, call (051) 386306.
We understand the difficulty nervous patients have even phoning the practice. Please let us know if you are feeling anxious or worried.