Dental sedation
About dental sedation
Dental sedation involves giving you medicine to help you relax and prevent pain during dental treatment. It may be recommended to you if you experience dental phobia.It doesn’t put you to sleep like a general anaesthetic; you’re still conscious and able to talk with your dentist. Instead, it puts you into a deeply relaxed state, where you won’t feel any discomfort or pain.
Different dental sedation techniques are available, including inhalation sedation (wearing a face mask to inhale a gas sedative) and IV sedation (a sedative drug that’s injected into your arm or hand).
If you have dental anxiety or a phobia of dentists and it’s preventing you from getting treatment, whether that’s replacing a missing tooth, a hygienist clean, or having an extraction, dental sedation may help.
Dental sedation may also be suitable if you have a strong gag reflex, require complex treatment, or have a low pain threshold and a topical local anaesthetic isn’t enough.
Considering sedation-assisted dental treatment?
At Bupa Dental Care, many of our practices offer safe and effective sedation options, or they can refer you to another Bupa practice
Am I suitable for sedation?
Both children and adults can have dental sedation. Inhalation sedation is usually used to treat children; IV sedation is only suitable in some cases.
Some patients may not be eligible for sedation. Your clinician will go through your medical history and medication-use to assess your suitability.
How much does dental sedation cost in the UK?
The cost can vary, depending on which type of sedation is used and the duration of your treatment. In your bespoke treatment plan, your dentist will be able to outline the exact costs involved.
What are the different types of dental sedation?
A range of techniques are available, depending on your dentist and your needs. These include:
Inhalation sedation
Inhalation sedation involves breathing in a mixed gas of oxygen and nitrous oxide through a face mask. You’ll feel relaxed and drowsy, but you won’t be put to sleep. This offers a milder level of sedation.
Things to consider about inhalation sedation:
- Very few side effects
- If you’re needle-phobic, inhalation sedation may be more suitable for you
- After treatment, you’ll be given pure oxygen to wear away the nitrous oxide. This means recovery is very quick (between five to ten minutes)
- Suitable for the majority of patients, including children
- Driving is usually possible after treatment. Your clinician will be able to advise you
- In few cases, side effects could include nausea and drowsiness
IV sedation
IV (intravenous) sedation is sometimes called ‘sleep dentistry.’ You won’t be put to sleep, but you’ll have reduced awareness and feel relaxed and sleepy, making treatment more comfortable. The procedure involves injecting a sedative drug via a plastic tube, into a vein in your hand or arm.
Things to consider about IV sedation:
- You’ll experience minimal to no pain
- Significantly reduces anxiety
- The effects can last longer, so multiple treatments can be performed in one appointment
- You won’t remember the treatment when waking up
- You’ll be unable to drive temporarily
- In some cases, side effects could include headaches and nausea
Dental sedation: Yvonne's story
Patient of the Raglan Suite | Watch in 2:50 minutes
Yvonne shares her first hand experience of having dental sedation at The Raglan Suite.
I was introduced to sedation 35 years
ago
by a doctor in Newcastle and I didn't
have a fear of dentists but at the time
the injections never took so whatever
treatment I had were painful
so I went for two extractions at the
time 35 years ago and as I was leaving
the receptionist said to me
I see you're in a state because of the
pain right but why do you try sedation I
said I don't know what it's about and
she introduced me to a gentleman I was a
doctor and I went there privately and
I've got a sanitation now for 35 years
and they moved to Leeds and I was stuck
I couldn't find anybody it was just
impossible
and so I looked around and I was
recommended to come here to write this
and I met Mr um uh Mr Bagley and he has
been my dentist ever since
and he actually did replaceable crowns
for me eight and uh fillings root canal
whatever my main thing is I want to keep
my teeth
and I want them to be out you know that
that is it and a sedation is just
perfect
as new After Effects are absolutely
nothing I have no pain no discomfort I
come in I sit on my chair
intravenous and stuff and walk out uh I
sometimes apparently look at nosy
with the lift home but that's no problem
I get home and I just carry on as Lord
and then I get a courtesy call always
with a 24 hours and they call me and see
if I'm all right another time and it
just works for me because one I want to
keep my teeth and two I don't want pain
you walk in here and there is no anxiety
monster you walk in it's simple it's
just a
intravenous and into your arm that's the
last thing you know I just walk out
completely from the beginning to the end
pain-free
and any nobody should be frowned against
us for that reason uh because no matter
what you have done it's just absolutely
painless
[Music]
Dental sedation: Karen's story
Patient of the Raglan Suite | Watch in 2:53 minutes
Hear about Karen's experience of having dental implants with sedation at The Raglan Suite.
thank you so whenever you're ready okay
so I'm Karen
um I came in to have three implants one
on the right and two next to each other
on the left
um I wasn't nervous at all I it never
crossed my mind to have sedation just
haven't crossed my mind but one friend
who's had a similar treatment she said
you must have sedation it makes it so
easy and another friend didn't have
sedation and she really regretted it so
I thought I'll go for it
so but I really wasn't nervous at all
the actual sedation was amazing I have
had a lot of anesthetics I've had quite
a few operations this was the quickest
um sedation I'd ever had in my life
um it was literally I think
Jeff was talking to me the dentist was
talking to me and the next thing I woke
up it was so easy so simple in fact I
did say to the dentist the next time I
saw him it was the best sedation or
anesthetic I'd ever had in my life
we all had an assessment procedure
where the positives and the negatives if
you like are all discussed and we try
and decide the kindest way forward for
the patient and if if the patient isn't
dentally anxious then they're still a
surgical element so again you know we we
weigh up the whole procedure and work
out what became this way of treating the
patient is going to be and as Karen
mentioned just now what might be quite a
lengthy procedure in terms of time the
patient can appear as if it's over in
the blink of an eye really and and
taking that patient forward it then
alleviates any any reasonable
possibility of dental anxiety going
forward because the one thing we don't
want to create is an anxious patient
from organization patients that's a real
Miss so again going back to what was
talking about earlier on we create a
complete picture of the procedure and a
complete picture as close as we can and
what the patient's requirements are and
what would be in the patient's best
interest going forward and fulfill its
sedation then we will discuss it all not
really the patient decision whether they
want to go ahead with that or not and if
they don't want to go ahead for whatever
reason that's absolutely fine but it can
certainly help us to provide what we
feel is the best appropriate treatment
well let's put it this way if Jeff
needed somebody to practice on I'd be
quite happy to come in once a week
um and have sedation I really would
[Music]
How long does dental sedation last?
The effects of IV dental sedation can last up to 12 hours, while recovery from inhalation sedation usually takes around 30 minutes.
Can you eat before dental sedation?
You shouldn’t eat or drink for six hours before IV sedation, although you can drink water up to two hours before. You must avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your treatment. If you have inhalation sedation, it’s recommended to have a light meal and drink up to two hours before.
Which procedures can be supported by dental sedation?
Dental sedation can be used alongside a variety of treatments, including:
- Dental implants
- Hygiene appointments
- Tooth extractions
- Fillings
- Crowns and veneers
- Root canal treatment
Dental sedation: Aftercare
After inhalation sedation and IV sedation there are some things to keep in mind.
Inhalation sedation
- You’ll need to remain in the practice until you’ve recovered fully
- Continue taking any medication as normal
- Avoid dangerous tasks, active sports, or operating machinery
- You can usually drive soon after treatment. Your dentist will advise you
- You can return to work
- You can eat and drink normally
IV sedation
- You’ll need to go straight home, by taxi or car, with an accompanying adult
- For 24 hours post-treatment, you’ll need to be with an adult who’ll look after you
- We recommend not driving for 24 hours post-treatment
- You shouldn’t make important decisions, e.g. signing legal documents
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol for 24 hours
- Don’t go back to work for 24 hours
- Don’t exercise for 24 hours
- Continue taking any medication as normal
- You can eat and drink as normal
- You cannot be responsible for caring for anyone such as children or the elderly for 24 hours, so you’ll need to make alternative plans
- If you’re breastfeeding, you must not breastfeed for 24 hours
How safe is dental sedation?
There are always risks when getting sedation, as with any treatment. However, it’s typically very safe when provided by professionals experienced and trained in administering sedation.
What’s next?
If you’re interested in dental treatment assisted by sedation, contact your nearest practice. They’ll be able to answer any questions and help you book a treatment consultation, whether it’s for an extraction, root canal, dental implants, or something else. In the treatment consultation, your dentist can discuss and recommend suitable sedation options for you.
If you’d like sedation-assisted hygiene treatment, we can help arrange your appointment and answer your questions. Speak to your local practice to learn more.
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