Sedation Dentist in Guildford, Surrey

What is Sedation?

Sedation Dentistry, also known as Relaxation Dentistry, involves techniques used by dentists to manage Pain and Anxiety during dental appointments.

Some individuals experience significant fear or anxiety about dental visits, to the extent that they avoid necessary dental treatment. However, relaxation or sedation techniques can help alleviate these fears. At Woodbridge Hill Dental Practice in Surrey, our team understands and empathizes with these concerns. You can discuss with our dentist the options available for managing anxiety and ensuring a more comfortable dental experience.

We offer different Dental Sedation Options for nervous patients in Surrey:

Oral (Medication)
Inhalation Sedation
IV Sedation
Hypnotherapy
FAQ

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation, which offer by sedation dentist in Surrey is prescribed for relieving anxiety in the hours immediately before a dental appointment. Not only do these medications have a sedative effect they also have some degree of amnesic effect for most people. Patients remember little or nothing about their dental appointment.

Advantages of Dental Oral Sedation

Inhalation Sedation (Laughing Gas)

You can experience relaxation through ‘relative analgesia’, also known as inhalation sedation, to help alleviate anxiety during dental procedures. This method involves inhaling a mixture of gases, commonly referred to as ‘laughing gas‘, which induces a pleasant and relaxed sensation quickly. Throughout the process, you remain conscious, although you may feel slightly drowsy, and any treatment administered is painless. The gas is inhaled through a comfortable nosepiece. Importantly, there is no risk of overdose as the gas is quickly eliminated from the body with a few breaths of ordinary air. Additionally, there are no lingering after-effects, and you can safely operate a car approximately 15 minutes after the procedure. Inhalation sedation is the most commonly used sedation method in dentistry.

This type of sedation is suitable also for young children and teenagers.

Advantages of Dental Inhalation Sedation

IV Sedation

You can experience relaxation through ‘relative analgesia’, also known as inhalation sedation, to help alleviate anxiety during dental procedures. This method involves inhaling a mixture of gases, commonly referred to as ‘laughing gas’, which induces a pleasant and relaxed sensation quickly. Throughout the process, you remain conscious, although you may feel slightly drowsy, and any treatment administered is painless. The gas is inhaled through a comfortable nosepiece. Importantly, there is no risk of overdose as the gas is quickly eliminated from the body with a few breaths of ordinary air. Additionally, there are no lingering after-effects, and you can safely operate a car approximately 15 minutes after the procedure. Inhalation sedation is the most commonly used sedation method in dentistry.

How is the IV Sedation Administered?

A thin needle will be introduced into a vein in your arm or hand. Once again some patients may be asleep while others will slip in and out of sleep. Some patients with medical conditions and/or on specific drug regimens may only be lightly sedated and may not sleep at all.
The goal of IV sedation is to use as little medication as possible to get the treatment completed. With IV sedation, a constant “drip” is maintained via the intravenous tube. At any time an antidote can be administered to reverse the effects of the medications if required.

IV sedation is very safe!

Book Your Appointment

Contact Woodbridge Dental today if you have any queries about the sedation dentist in Surrey services. Our opening hours are 8.00 A.M. until 6.00 P.M., Monday – Friday, and 8.00 A.M. until 3.00 P.M. on Saturdays.

You can call us on 01483 568 584. Alternatively, you can use our easy online booking service or send an email to reception@woodbridgedental.co.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Click here to find out more about our offers and new patient deals.

Hypnosis, also known as hypnotherapy, could be described as the quieting of the conscious mind. People enter this state spontaneously every day, such as when being lost in thought or daydreaming, working out in the gym, reading, listening to music, surfing the web, or driving on ‘auto-pilot’. Some applications of hypnosis in dentistry include controlling a strong gag reflex, treating chronic facial pain, modification of unwanted habits such as teeth grinding, and much more. Hypnosis works extremely well with some people, but they would require a relevant assessment.

Hypnosis works by accessing the unconscious mind and placing new, positive instructions there, a little bit like reprogramming yourself to how you would like to be able to think and feel. Hypnosis is a very natural state, just like daydreaming, whereby your mind is free to wander while you are also vaguely aware of your surroundings. It is also useful in people with a strong gag reflex.

FAQs: Sedation Dentist in Surrey answers your frequently asked questions

Fear of the dentist is more common than you might think. You may have put off appointments in the past yourself due to worries of painful procedures, negative experiences with past dental work, or phobia of needles. You may have heard of sedation dentistry as a comfortable solution to nerves in the dentist’s chair. A sedation dentist in Surrey can answer all the frequently asked questions you may have about this option, and provide an individually tailored, caring and compassionate alternative to ensure you get the treatment you want.

Why am I so nervous to see my dentist?

Many patients can find visits to the dentist a stressful experience. But when your anxiety holds you back from taking the first step, it can be helpful to look at the reasons why.

Past negative experience with either dental procedures or poor relationships with previous dentists
Particularly sensitive teeth
Resistance to local anaesthetic
Embarrassment of your teeth – particularly if you haven’t been to the dentist in a long period
Gag reflex interfering with procedures
Fears of drills or needles
General high anxiety

If you found yourself identifying with one or more of these worries, you may be a candidate for sedation dentistry.

What is sedation dentistry?

In sedation dentistry, medication is administered to the patient before or during the procedure, to ensure you are in a comfortable, anxiety-free state while your dental work is completed. There are various options available depending on the individual needs of the patient and levels of anxiety involved.

What are my options for sedation?

Inhalation Sedation (Laughing gas) – Controlled sedation where the patient inhales gas through a mask connected to a machine. Designed for simpler procedures and lower levels of anxiety. A good option for very young children.

Oral Sedation – Ingestion of a sedative, in pill or liquid form before the procedure. A weaker alternative to IV sedation, if the patient has phobia of needles.

Intravenous (IV) Sedation – Sedative injected directly into the vein, with the dosage controlled by your dentist. This is a fast-acting procedure and the most effective for highly anxious patients.

Will I be awake for the procedure?

Yes. You will remain conscious, but in an intensely relaxed state. You will be able to respond to your dentist’s instructions but will be heavily distracted from the procedure. A lengthy appointment will appear to pass much quicker than reality, and it is likely you will remember little of the process.

Can children be sedated?

Absolutely. IV sedation can usually be used for older children and teenagers. However, for younger kids Inhalation Sedation may be the best option when IV sedation is not viable.

Will it be painful?

Sedation dentistry is designed for patients with phobia of pain in mind. The tooth or the area will still usually need to be anaesthetised after the sedation, hence there will not be any pain during your procedure, with IV sedation being the most effective in this regard.

How long will the procedure take?

This varies greatly depending on the extent of work needed, and the patient’s own needs. Longer procedures may take up to an hour or two.

How quickly will I recover from the sedative?

This is dependent on the length of appointment, method of sedation, and dosage during the procedure. For shorter procedures involving nitrous oxide, the recovery will be rapid, and you will be safe to drive afterwards. For IV and oral sedation, you will need someone to drive you to and from the appointment, as the sedative will take time to wear off. Avoid consumption of alcohol, driving and operation of heavy machinery. By the next day, you will have recovered.

Are there any risks?

Sedation dentistry is generally a safe as well as a relaxing option. However, patients with heart and respiratory conditions, and those with diabetes may require a doctor’s consultation and note before a procedure can go ahead. Similarly, obesity and sleep apnoea may be obstacles to controlled sedation.

Our Commitment to You:

At Woodbridge Hill Dental Practice, we believe that beauty is more than skin deep. That’s why we focus on understanding your desires and expectations, crafting a tailored treatment plan that reflects your unique beauty.

Visit Us at Our Convenient Guildford Location:

Woodbridge Hill Dental Practice

49A Woodbridge Hill

Guildford, GU2 9ZD

Call us today: 01483 568584

Opening Days: Monday to Saturday

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