All uncomfortable treatment will receive numbing gel followed by a local anaesthetic.
In addition, for nervous patients, their anxiety can be relieved with some sedative
medications:
- A self-administered oral sedative, e.g. Valium or Temaze
This is most useful for adults, and we can arrange a prescription prior to treatment.
Because it can affect your awareness, it is essential that someone else drives you
to and from the surgery. There is a wearing-off period of several hours.
- An oral sedative administered by the dentist, e.g. Hypnovel
This is a short-acting sedative similar to Valium that we can use for children. It
is a liquid that is mixed in orange juice to disguise the taste. It is taken in our
rooms orally about 30 minutes before the treatment. It is used for children up to
the weight of about 30 kg. A strong parent must be ready to carry the child back
to the car, or bring a pram/stroller.
- Inhaled sedation, also called “laughing gas”
This is given by a nosepiece and breathed in-and-out. It is usually too tricky for
young children to use, and is best suited for children 10 years+ and for all adults.
Its greatest advantage is that the effects fully wear off within 10 minutes of the
end of treatment, and patients can drive home.
- Intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia
We do not offer this t our surgery; it requires an anaesthetist and registered nurses.
We can refer to a dental practice which is fully dedicated to general anaesthetic
and IV general dentistry.
