Dental Sedation
Dental sedation helps to make lengthy or complex dental treatment much more comfortable and easy for you to manage. It can help remove the anxiety, stress, discomfort, and awareness of the procedure. You will enjoy a relaxing sleep whilst you maintain your reflexes and are able to breathe for yourself, whilst being able to respond to us if required. It may also produce sensations of drowsiness, warmth and tingling in the injection area. In the dental setting, it will not induce unconsciousness. You will be able to swallow, talk and cough as needed.
Contradictions: Please let us know if you have any of the following medical conditions, because we may not be able to safely use sedation;
- Congestive heart failure
- Chronic obtrusive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Chronic asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Pregnancy
- Tuberculosis
- Macrocytic anaemia
- Immune disease
- Respiratory diseases
- A history of substance abuse.
Preoperative guidelines: Dental sedation requires that we place a small cannula (access for the medication) in to your vein following which we will also give you a local anaesthetic once you are sedated. We will continuously titrate your required sedation dose so you will feel completely relaxed during the procedure. Throughout the treatment you will be relatively aware of your situation until the procedure comes to an end. At that time, no more titration dose will be administered and you will be slowly allowed to recover from the effects of the sedation medicine.
Before the procedure:
- You are advised not to eat at least 6 hours before undergoing sedation, or drink a minimum of 3 hours prior to sedation.
- You are advised to wear loose clothing & remove all jewellery for your comfort.
- We ask that you remove nail varnish and tie hair loosely.
- We will not be able to start the intra-venous sedation without an escort who can stay with you for 24hrs after your sedation is completed.
- We advise that you take your medications as prescribed by your GP and do not stop any medication without prior recommendation.
- Please do let your dental sedationist know if you have a change in medical circumstances or medication.
- We ask that you do not drink alcohol or take recreational drugs before attending to be sedated.
Following your procedure
You will be given appropriate recovery time in which you will be closely monitored with specialist monitoring equipment to ensure your safe recovery.
Our practice is specially equipped for IV sedation treatments; as well as our staff which have additional training. However, as we administer a sedative medication, certain precautions are necessary after the procedure to ensure a comfortable recovery:
- You will need supervision for up to 8 hours following the completion of your sedation treatment and it is recommended not to sign legal documents or make important decisions during that time.
- You may remain drowsy and lack time and space judgment after the procedure is completed. This could last up to 8 hours.
- You may experience nausea and vomiting following your sedation and our team will provide you advice to minimize this.
- Discolouration of the skin or bruising in areas of access to veins or attempted access may persist for some time.
- You may experience post-operative pain depending on the treatment carried out, areas of numbness, swelling, bleeding, and general post-operative discomfort.
- NO alcohol should be consuming for 24hrs after sedation
- You should not operate machinery or drive or sign legal documents for 24hrs after sedation is completed.
- DO NOT eat until the numbness has worn off, however, you can drink water as needed
- DO NOT travel home via public transport; preferably take a taxi or private car home.