Sedation can be prescribed for acute dental anxiety or complex dental treatments.
What is sedation?
Sedation makes you feel very drowsy and calm while you are having your dental treatment. Sedation may be administered through the inhalation of a gas or intravenously with IV sedation.
As sedatives are not painkillers, with either form of sedation your dentist will still give you a local anaesthetic to numb the area around the tooth to be treated.
Inhalation Sedation
Breathing in such gasses as nitrous oxide and oxygen allows your body to become very relaxed while remaining conscious all the time. The effects of gas sedation usually disappear after a few minutes.
IV sedation
Your dentist injects a sedative into your arm or hand to make you become very drowsy, although you will not fall asleep. Sedated patients often do not remember anything about their dental treatment.
You must be accompanied by a responsible adult who should stay with you until the effects of the sedation have completely worn off. This can take up to 24 hours, during which time you should not drive, operate machinery, smoke or consume alcohol.
Is sedation right for me?
At Thurmaston Dental, Facial, & Implants we want you to feel comfortable about coming to the practice for your treatment. We offer a phobia clinic for nervous patients that can help reduce dental anxiety.
Sedation can potentially facilitate dental treatment for patients that have:
- Acute nervousness or anxiety
- Severe teeth and gum sensitivity
- Difficulty keeping the mouth open
- Complex oral surgery or multiple procedures
Some medical conditions requiring prescription drugs may not be compatible with sedation. Your dentist will advise you if sedation is right for you during your initial consultation.
