Sedation in Dentistry

Nervous Patients

Many people are a bit anxious about attending a dentist. For some people however, this fear is more pronounced and can be classified as a dental phobia. This is an intense, irrational fear of dentistry. It may be related to one specific procedure or to a more general fear of dentistry. This phobia can be triggered by a bad experience in childhood. Dental anxiety and phobia can lead to people delaying or avoiding the treatment that they need. Often the most difficult step in overcoming this fear is making the initial appointment for a chat and an assessment. The availability of relaxation techniques, modern anesthetics and using sedation in dentistry means that treatments can be performed in a relaxed and pain free manner.

Premedication

This involves the use of a tablet before treatment to help the patient to relax. It offers mild sedation. Sometimes patients take a tablet the night before the treatment to help them get a good nights sleep.

Nitrous Oxide

This is a safe and effective agent that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a special mouthpiece to help you to relax. The use of Nitrous Oxide or “happy air”induces a feeling of lightheadedness and is often accompanied by a feeling of warmth and tingling. It makes you feel calm and comfortable. The effects wear off once the sedation is finished. This is particularly suited to children and is the only available sedation for people under the age of 16. It also works well for mild to moderately anxious adult patients.

IV Sedation

This involves using a drug called Midazolam to establish a strong level sedation. It allows us top perform a broad range of dental treatment. The relaxed state is often described as something between sleep and wakefulness. It leads to sense of detachment from the treatment. Most patients can’t remember much of the appointment afterwards. You are conscious through the appointment however and can respond to any requests. We carefully control the level of sedation to ensure the correct level is achieved.

Who carries out the sedation?

Dr Lyndsey McTavish BDS (UWCM), MFDS, RCPS (Glasg), Dip Clin Dent (TCD), Dip Con Sed. (TCD).

Lyndsey undertakes the sedation at Swords Dental. Lyndsey completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Sedation in dentistry at Dublin Dental Hospital in 2017. Lyndsey is particularly interested in helping nervous patients and is a member of the International Society of Dental Anxiety Management. Lyndsey exclusively treats children and sedation patients at Swords Dental. Lyndsey enjoys treating children and has a young family of her own. Her friendly and relaxed approach will help make your visit to the dentist an easier experience.

If you’re interested in making an assessment appointment for dental sedation or have any questions you can give us a call on 8401001.