Dental Sedation
We understand that many people can be afraid of visiting the dentist, often because they have had a traumatic experience in the past. Dental sedation is an option that facilitates a procedure and reduces patient anxiety.
Sedation is recommended if the treatment is complicated, involves pain or the patient has a phobia.
Due to fear, patients often neglect their dental problems and avoid going to the dentist and getting the treatment needed. As a result, patients cause more damage to their teeth. In such cases, sedation is administered to help the patient but also the dentist, by allowing them to carry out the procedure with ease. A relaxed and cooperative patient always translates into the dentist being able to do the treatment with better care.
What Sets us Apart to other Practices
Types of Sedation Available?
The following types of sedation are used in dentistry:
- Inhalation sedation –: Commonly known as laughing gas because one of the effects this sedative has is of the feeling of happiness. You breathe Nitrous oxide combined with oxygen through a mask that’s placed over your nose. Your dentist can control the amount of sedation you receive, so the gas takes immediate effect and wears off quickly.
- Oral conscious sedation –: The patient is given oral sedatives, which will relieve most of the stress, although they will remain awake for the procedure. Depending on each case or as directed by your dentist, you may take one pill the night before and a pill an hour before treatment. The patient will feel drowsy, so you are advised not to drive after the procedure. Plan in advance with a friend or family member to take you home.
- Intravenous sedation –: An IV sedation is an injection that is administered into the vein and can only be performed by an experienced and trained dentist. You will remain conscious and can follow the dentist’s instructions. However, you will be very sleepy and it’s most likely that you will not remember much about the dental procedure.
Although IV sedation in dental practices is very popular, it is not recommended for everyone. It should be avoided for the following patients who are:
-Afraid of needles
-Pregnant
-Suffer from glaucoma
-Has lung or kidney problems
-Allergic to sedative drugs
-Elderly
- Local anaesthetic –: This is often used for minor dental procedures. Despite being fully conscious, you do not feel any pain or discomfort.
- General Anaesthetic – :Used for patients who need significant oral surgery, or who are resistant to other types of sedation. General anesthesia will make the patient unconscious, and it can last for several hours even after the procedure is complete.
“There is always a risk for any surgical or invasive procedure. Hence, before proceeding, we recommend you to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.”
