Is Sedation Dentistry Right For Me?

Is Sedation Dentistry Right For Me? As a dentist in Basildon we’re well aware that thousands of people suffer from some form of dental anxiety which can extend from sweaty palms through to your heart racing when you enter through the dentist’s door. On occasions this anxiety can be so severe that it prevents people from getting the dental treatment they need which can result in costly problems further down the line.

For those patients who have dental anxiety or a phobia of needles, or of sitting in the dentist’s chair for example, then perhaps it’s time they considered exploring the possibility of sedation dentistry. What’s more sedation dentistry isn’t just for anxious or phobic patients it can also be used to help patients who have a gag reflex or those who find it difficult to sit in a dentist’s chair for extended periods such as with more complex treatments.

What is sedation dentistry?

Basically it’s a term we use to describe the use of anaesthetic during treatment which puts patients into a relaxed state. It comes in a few different forms and allows patients to drift through their appointments – including more complex treatments such as dental implants in Basildon – feeling totally relaxed throughout their visit and without feeling any discomfort or pain. In fact, patients that are given IV sedation often have no recollection of their treatment at all.

The two forms of sedation dentistry we use are:

• Intravenous sedation – Also referred to as IV sedation it consists of a drug which is injected into a vein, usually in the back of your hand, so that it takes effect quickly. Using this method your dentist can adjust the level of sedation as necessary throughout treatment. You may feel a little groggy afterwards and will not be allowed to drive yourself home. The effects will wear off within a few hours and you’ll be feeling back to normal.

• Inhalation sedation – This is a good choice for anyone who doesn’t like needles because the sedative is breathed in through a small mask which is placed over your nose. The gas consists of nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen, commonly referred to a ‘laughing gas’ and it helps you to relax. Again your Basildon dentist can control the amount of gas that you receive and the benefit of this type of sedation is that it wears off quickly allowing you to drive yourself home again.

Sedation dentistry can be used for anything from a simple teeth cleaning to more complex treatments so if you’re feeling anxious or nervous about anything at all then please tell us and we’ll do all we can to help you. Sometimes just by meeting the dental team and getting a better understanding of what is involved in your treatment can allay your fears. So don’t put off having necessary dental treatment give our South Benfleet practice a call today on 01268 726789.