Sedation for nervous patients
Help for nervous dental patients
Some people are so frightened of the dentist that they will not go for dental treatment. At Lynwood Dental in Worcester Park near Kingston our team are sympathetic about these feelings, and offer help for nervous patients.
Sometimes our friendly, understanding and compassionate manner, together with our modern, pain-free techniques, are all that is needed to put anxious patients at ease. But we appreciate that some people need an extra helping hand and so we offer IV and inhalation sedation.
IV sedation
IV sedation is administered via a smalll needle, which is usually placed in the back of your hand and does not usually hurt. The dose will depend on the amount of treatment needed and the length of time it will take to complete. You become pleasantly drowsy and relaxed. You will be unaware of any treatment, but still able to co-operate with the dentist. The effects take a little time to wear off and your dentist will tell you how long it will take to clear from your body. You won’t be able to drink alcohol, drive or work machinery during this time.
Inhalation sedation
You can be helped to feel relaxed by ‘relative analgesia’ sometimes known as inhalation sedation. This means breathing in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen (‘laughing gas’) which quickly leads to a pleasant, relaxed feeling. The dentist puts you at ease at the same time, by talking softly and suggesting what you feel. You remain conscious all the time, although you may be a little drowsy, and any treatment given causes you no discomfort. You breathe in the mixture through a nosepiece, which is very comfortable. You can’t overdose on the gas, as the mixture quickly leaves the body if you breathe in one or two breaths of ordinary air. There are no after-effects either, and you can drive a car after about 15 minutes. Many dentists use this safe and effective technique.
Book a consultation
If you are worried about visiting the dentist, please get in touch so we can work with you to find the best way to help.