How Sedation Dentistry Works For Anxious Patients

Dental Anxiety Brisbane - If there is one thing that all dentists should know, it is that the vast majority of patients have at least some levels of anxiety, worry or stress about their dental appointments  

As a dentist in Chermside who has practiced for over thirty years, I have seen thousands of people anxious from their past dental experiences or who are searching for a reliable, trusted local dentist who can provide gentle anxiety- free dental care for their children.

Dental anxiety Brisbane  can be expressed in many ways and can cover a wide spectrum of how it affects people and the level of help they need to make their dental visits comfortable and stress-free.  

Similarly, there is a range of options that dentists have to help patients with their anxiety and these can include a gentle touch and calm, supportive demeanor, Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas )  relative analgesia, prescription oral sedatives ( such as valium ) , Intravenous ( twilight ) Sedation, to a full General Anesthetic procedure. 

At Today’s Dentistry in Chermside, we believe the first step in helping with anxiety is to listen to our patients concerns and explore all of their options and then work with our patient to see which option will be best for them to complete their dental care with comfort and ease 

What is dental anxiety? 

Anxiety associated with dental visits can range from a sense of mild nervousness to a phobia so powerful that it stops someone even calling a dentist in Chermside office to schedule an appointment. 

In my experience the common causes for dental anxiety include : past negative or traumatic experiences at the dentist;  fear of pain during their visit; concerns about a loss of control; shame or embarrassment about the state of the teeth or previous dental problems; and sensory triggers such as the sound of the dental drills or the sight of dental instruments. 

The most important thing to remember is that these concerns are completely normal. There is nothing wrong with you if you feel anxious about dental visits. You don’t need to “harden up” or tough it out. There are options to help you through so that you can get the dental care that you need in a safe, comfortable, and caring environment. 

Types of Sedation Dentistry: 

Nitrous Oxide (Happy Gas) 

Nitrous Oxide is a commonly used anti-anxiety measure. It is very safe for both children and adults. The patient breathes in a mixture of Nitrous Oxide and pure Oxygen through a nosepiece. The gas helps you feel relaxed and slightly detached from proceedings. The effects wear off usually within a few minutes and you are completely safe to drive afterwards. 

Oral Sedation 

With oral sedation, a prescription sedative medication such as valium is commonly taken an hour or so before the dental appointment. Depending on the dosage required, it is advisable to have someone drive you to your appointment and take you home. Depending on what other medications the patient is taking, your GP may be the best person to prescribe these sedatives. 

IV Sedation  

Intravenous (IV) sedation is best administered by an anesthetist as it is required to be titrated to the individual patient. These medications often have an amnesic effect so that the patient has little memory of the procedure. This technique is most suited to those with more severe anxiety or requiring lengthy procedures. 

How Sedation Dentistry Works: Step-by-step: 

 Initial Consultation 

At the initial consultation appointment, the patient has the opportunity to explain their concerns to the dentist and to discuss the pros and cons of each option available so that the dentist and the patient together can decide on what option is the best fit for the procedure planned. 

Before Your Appointment 

If you have been prescribed Oral Sedatives by your GP, they will advise on the timing for taking the medication and any measures you need to take before your appointment. 

If you are having an IV Sedation or a General Anesthetic procedure, you will require a consultation with the anesthetists before the treatment.  During this appointment, they will discuss the details of the sedation and any steps you may need to take such as fasting before the procedure. 

During the Treatment 

Whichever sedation option you choose, rest assured that you will be treated in a calm, gentle manner and with compassion and respect.  

Good communication, comfort measures and constant monitoring and is at the heart of all dental treatments for anxious patients, so whichever option you choose, these will be part of your care. 

Aftercare; 

It is normal that after any medical or dental procedure the tissues involved will be inflamed with the associated discomfort and adjustment that are part and parcel of such things.  

If there are any specific precautions that are required after your appointment, your dentist will advise you and any accompanying person so that your recovery is as smooth as possible. 

With more extensive treatment it is important to allow yourself some time to rest and recover before launching back into your normal routine. Obviously, this will vary enormously with the type of sedation as well as the type of dental treatment performed. Your dentist as well as the anesthetists will discuss this with you before your treatment appointment. 

The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry for Anxious Dental Patients 

There are several benefits to Sedation Dentistry for patients. 

 Sedation Dentistry is a great help for any patients wanting a calm, stress-free dental experience. 

A great side benefit of all forms of Sedation Dentistry is that they commonly reduce the gag reflex and general sense of discomfort. 

Sedation Dentistry is also especially helpful to both children and adults with sensory sensitivities. 

Sedation dentistry also allows a greater amount of dental treatment to be completed comfortably at the one visit. Because the patient is relaxed with less need for resting and rinsing, dental treatments can be done in a more efficient manner. This means fewer and easier visits to the dentist, and everyone is a fan of that. 

Why Choose a Dentist in Chermside for Sedation Dentistry? 

Since its origins in 1988, Today’s Dentistry in Chermside has always had a strong focus on patient comfort and especially helping anxious dental patients access the treatment they need to get the smile they want. 

Today’s Dentistry has always had an emphasis on open communication and a gentle personalized treatment approach combined with the most up-to-date technology and tools to earn our patient’s trust and as a foundation for a family friendly environment for anxious dental patients and child-focused care. 

This approach, along with the support of our 10,000 strong patient bases, has helped our practice grow from a single dentist to a team of seven dentists and Oral Health Therapists. 

Conclusion 

With the options that modern Sedation Dentistry offers, there is no reason that dental anxiety must hold you back from having the dental treatment that you need. 

Sedation dentistry offers a safe and calming solution for both adults and children. 

If you or someone you know is anxious about their dental visits, call Today’s Dentistry at Chermside on 32632677. It will be their first step to dental visits without anxiety.