Are you nervous, anxious or worried about dental treatment? The team at Pembroke Dental Ballsbridge understands that many people are apprehensive about dental treatment. Some people fear the sound of the drill or injections in the mouth, while others have an unspecified fear that they just can’t explain. Rest assured, you’re not alone — in fact, a fear of the dentist is very common. The good news is, we can help.
Do I Have Dental Phobia or Dental Anxiety?
As we have mentioned, dental phobia and anxiety are hardly uncommon. If you’re trying to determine whether you fit the bill, check out the questions below. If you can answer “yes” to most or all of them, it’s likely you have a dental phobia.
- Have you avoided necessary dental medical treatment as a result of a fear of the dentist’s chair?
- Have you dealt with pain, discomfort or even an oral infection for a given period because you can’t face going to your dentist?
- Does the mere idea of going to the dentist fill you with dread?
- When you hear, or think about, the sound of a dental drill, can you feel your body reacting in an anxious way (increased heart rate and sweating)?
- Have you had a difficult experience with the dentist as a child?
If this all sounds familiar, read on to see how sedation dentistry can help.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry (sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry”) is a means of alleviating anxiety in the dentist’s chair. Dental sedation is for people who generally avoid a dental visit like the plague, and can be used for anything from tooth cleaning to tooth extractions. The method of sedation used often depends on the severity of the fear and the type of dental procedure being undertaken.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Oral sedation has a number of benefits:
- You can relax during the procedure and take your mind off what’s happening
- Sedation is easy to administer
- Oral sedation is very safe and regulated
- Though you might feel drowsy and groggy, you’ll likely remain awake and responsive during your dental procedure, so you’ll be able to listen and respond to your dentist’s instructions
Different Types of Dental Sedation
There are four main types of dental sedation:
- Oral sedation — Oral sedation can range from minimal to moderate. Oral sedation comes in the form of benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepine will make you drowsy, but you will remain awake and conscious. If you require a larger dose than the average person, you might become so groggy that you fall asleep, but you will be able to be woken up with a gentle shake.
- IV sedation — This sedative drug is administered through a vein, meaning it gets to work more quickly. Using this method, your dentist will be able to continually adjust your level of sedation during your treatment.
- Inhaled sedation — This is a method of sedation you might be more familiar with. Sometimes known as “laughing gas”, this form of sedation combines nitrous oxide and oxygen, which is administered through a mask placed over the nose. The gas wears off quickly, so you won’t have to worry about feeling drowsy after your procedure.
- Deep sedation and general anaesthesia — This involves using medication that will cause you to be either almost or totally unconscious during your dental procedure. To wake you up, the dentist will either wait for the effects to wear off or reverse them with medication.
At Pembroke Dental Ballsbridge, we offer oral sedation, which reduces anxiety levels and ensures a positive dental experience.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation dentistry is available for most forms of dental treatment, including fillings and extractions. This process requires the administration of a mild oral sedative to facilitate the procedure. All our dentists provide this type of sedation.
Process
Our oral sedation process involves a mild sedative, benzodiazepine, which is taken 45 minutes before the procedure.
What to Expect
The sedative is designed to act quickly and relieve feelings of nervousness and panic. Everyone is different, so it’s impossible to say exactly how you will respond to the sedative. You might feel refreshed and calm after the procedure, or you might be left feeling slightly groggy. You may also fall asleep during treatment, which could mean you have little to no recollection of treatment. We recommend arranging transport following your sedation, as you won’t be in a fully competent state to drive.
Getting Dental Sedation in Dublin D4
At Pembroke Dental Ballsbridge, our team has a special interest in helping patients with dental anxiety. All our dentists are trained in specific behavioural techniques to alleviate dental anxiety and phobia, and we can provide dental sedation services to those who are particularly nervous.
