Sedation Dentistry

Are you afraid of the dentist? We may be the answer you are looking for. Call us today for a consultation to plan your sedation.

There are millions of people all over the world who are missing out on routine dental cleanings, check-ups and necessary dental work because of anxiety. Are you one of these people? Then Conscious Sedation Dentistry may be for you.

What is Conscious Sedation Dentistry?

Most of us are familiar with or have heard of nitrous oxide (laughing gas). However Sedation Dentistry works in a more sophisticated way. Conscious sedation is done by taking medication in the form of a small pill, 30 minutes to one hour before your dental appointment. Various dosages may be prescribed depending on the severity of your anxiety and the patient's response. Oral Sedation protocols have been used safely for 30 years. We will refer you to a medical practitioner to review your medical history and if necessary can be present to monitor you closely while under sedation.

What is the alternative to Conscious Sedation?

If you are a little nervous or apprehensive aboutdental procedures, then you may be a candidate for taking an oral anxiolytic medication one hour before your appointment. This is a very safe way of just “taking the edge off” dental treatment and may change your life for ever!

Am I a Candidate?

You may be a candidate if you have:

• Dental phobia
• Dental anxiety
• A sensitive gag reflex
• A previous traumatic experience
• Extra sensitive teeth
• Difficulty getting numb
• Difficulty keeping your mouth open
• Hate noises, smells and tastes associated with dental care
• Hate needles and injections
• Need extensive work or multiple procedures at one time
• Are embarrassed about your teeth

What Are the Advantages of Sedation?

The medicine for Conscious Sedation has an "amnesia" quality, which for most patients tends to prevent almost any memory of the visit. The advantage is that the brain doesn't "register" the work that was done, so there is no lingering discomfort!

By being totally relaxed, you reduce joint and gum soreness. The medicine allows you to have more work done comfortably at one time. You can have your dental examination, general dentistry i.e. filings, cleaning, root canal treatment and even some cosmetic procedures all done in one visit instead of the traditional two to four visits.

Types of Sedation

Depending on the extent of the anxiety, three different methods can be used to make your dental experience a comfortable one:

1. Oral Anxiolytics:

This is achieved by taking an anxiolytic tablet 1-2 hours before the dental appointment.

2. Oral Conscious Sedation:

Medications of various dosages can be given to you 30-60 minutes prior to the appointment, depending on the severity of the anxiety.

3. Intravenous Conscious Sedation:

This is sedation is administered by a specialist anaesthetist in our rooms. This form of sedation can be deeper than the oral conscious sedation, but is safe and very predictable. The anaesthetist will have all the necessary equipment to monitor you breathing, heart rate and oxygen saturation.