Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures and patients are awake during the procedure.
Candidates for sedation:
There are a few types of medical anxiety control in Dentistry which your dentist will discuss the various options with you. We offer Intravenous Sedation (with the possibility of oral premedication for the night before).
Below is a brief outline of what to expect in order to give you a better understanding of what would be most suitable for yourself.
Most importantly, realise that your dentist is only thinking of you when they suggest a form of sedation. It is a safe procedure that can be carried out in our practice so treatment will be carried out sooner.
This is the type of sedation is where you get a cannula (small needle followed by a very fine flexible plastic tube) inserted, usually into the back of your hand or your arm and then you are given a medication (usually midazolam) which brings about a much greater degree of sedation and relaxation than the inhalation sedation does.
Not all dentists offer this sort of sedation as they require further training and mentored experience in order to carry it out safely in dental practice. This type of sedation is for moderate to severely anxious patients, or for more complicated or lengthy procedures such as multiple implants or root canal treatments.
You will require an escort to remain with you during treatment and for 24 hours afterwards. You will generally have no memory of some or all of the treatment when you recover.
You will need to have your blood pressure and BMI assessed prior to treatment and there are a number of patients who should not have IV sedation for treatment in including pregnant women, people with certain heart issues, some other medical problems and people who are markedly overweight as it may not be safe so ensure your dentist is aware of your full up to date medical history including all medications.
Patients with these conditions may still be treated but often this will need to take place in a dental hospital rather than in the dental practice, but your dentist will advise you and refer you if necessary.
