Sedation can help overcome fear

Many people avoid going to the dentist because of the fear of dental procedures. Conscious sedation can provide anxiety relief and often overcome fear.

Sedation is the use of a drug which relaxes the central nervous system enabling treatment to be carried out by the dentist, while still allowing the patient to communicate.

Your dentist will use the simplest form of sedation which will enable successful treatment to be given. For example, some patients respond well to nitrous oxide and oxygen (laughing gas) while others cope better with a valium-type drug.

There are many ways of being sedated and your dentist will discuss with you what treatment best suits you. Before sedation can be offered, your dentist will take a full medical history and may liaise with appropriate medical practitioners if necessary. In some cases, blood tests may he needed before an appointment is made.

The simplest form of sedation is your dentist explaining the treatment and helping to allay any fears that the you might have.

Nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation can be administered through a nose mask making you feel warm and relaxed. This technique is also known as Relative Analgesia (RA) and works particularly well with children. Your dentist simply places a small mask on the nose and varies the amount of nitrous oxide through a special machine until you are comfortable and relaxed.

Oral sedation is another option to help alleviate fear. This is achieved simply by your dentist prescribing a medication which will make you drowsy and relaxed. This technique can also be used in conjunction with nitrous oxide for deeper sedation.

Intravenous sedation is a technique whereby drugs are injected until the desired effect is achieved. You normally remember very little but still co-operate with your dentist and wake up relaxed and calm. Your dentist will use a local anaesthetic after the sedation and may also inject a pain-killer if the procedure involves surgery. Prior to any injection into the arm, your dentist may advise using a special patch over the injection area to numb the area.

If you choose sedation, you must not eat or drink for at least six hours before your appointment. You should not smoke for at least 24 hours before the appointment. It is a good idea to dress warmly in cold weather and wear gloves, as this helps make the veins easier to find. Contact lenses should not be worn due to the possible drying effect of the drugs used. It is important that your dentist knows of all medications you are taking, and also any changes to your medical history including all known allergies. You must be accompanied by a responsible adult and driven home in a car or taxi. Public transport is not an option after sedation.

Instructions will be given to you and your escort after the sedation and dental treatment is completed. You will be advised how to care for your mouth; and not drive vehicles or operate machinery for at least 12 hours after sedation. You must not leave the surgery until told by your dentist.

New techniques of sedation are being developed at many centres throughout the world. Some sedative drugs can be squirted into the nose, injected into the mouth or given through skin patches. The main emphasis of modern sedation is to allow dental treatment to be carried out on anxious patients in the safest possible manner, and research is continually being carried out to improve drugs and techniques.