Conscious sedation is offered at our clinic either on a private basis or for oral surgery patients on referral from their own dentist. You can access this service by a referral from your own dental practitioner or you may wish to make a self-referral privately.
What is conscious sedation?
While it is not uncommon to have a fear of the dentist, it is important that people do not avoid going to the dentist because of their phobia. Sedation makes patients feel more relaxed and at ease, which enables them to undergo dental treatment with the support of local anaesthetic.
Patients who have high anxiety about dental visits,
anyone who has had traumatic dental experiences in the past,
patients receiving complex treatments or surgery,
anyone who experiences difficulty getting numb
anyone with a strong gag reflex,
patients who have jaw joint troubles and cannot open their mouth for extended periods,
anyone who is afraid of needles in the mouth,
patients with sensitive teeth
-will benefit from this service,
also if you dislike the noises and/or smells associated with dental care.
Intravenous sedation is usually delivered via a small plastic tube in the back of the hand or arm. A sedative medication called midazolam is given through the tube and the amount required is subject to each patient’s response. Commonly most patients receiving intravenous sedation are more deeply sedated compared to inhalation sedation and most patients will have significant memory loss, although they are still awake. This technique is ideal for highly anxious patients who need prolonged or more invasive procedures including the treatment of multiple teeth at multiple sites.