Sedation

• Consult your dentist to discuss any medical conditions or medications you are taking.
• Understand the risks, and be aware of potential side effects and how to manage them.
• Choose the right sedation method based on your comfort level and the complexity of the procedure.
• Stay informed by asking questions and understand the process before undergoing sedation.

Dental sedation at Genix is a valuable tool for ensuring a comfortable and stress-free dental experience. It is suitable for a wide range of patients, from those with dental anxiety to those requiring extensive procedures. By understanding the different methods of sedation and following proper care instructions, you can maintain optimal oral health while benefiting from the advantages of dental sedation.

• Follow pre-sedation instructions such as fasting if required.
• Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and follow any specific aftercare instructions.
• Maintain oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly, and use mouthwash if recommended.
• Continue with regular dental visits to monitor oral health.
• Avoid smoking and limit sugary foods and drinks.

Think of dental sedation as an add-on layer to your overall dental treatment plan. Sedation doesn’t replace, but rather gives a helping hand to other methods of pain control, including local anaesthesia. Your dental procedures are carried out in much the same manner as they would be without sedation, with the exception that they may be clubbed together to avoid repeated sedation administration. Once your dental treatment plan is finalised, preparing for dental sedation involves a few key steps to ensure everything goes smoothly: an in-depth consultation with your dentist to discuss your medical history and any medications you’re taking; and specific instructions that are provided by your dentist and are tailored to your needs for a safe and stress-free experience. The number of appointments required can vary based on the treatment plan, but the typical appointment sequence is as follows:

Appointment 1
Initial consultation to assess the patient’s medical history and determine the appropriate sedation method

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Prescribing the medication in case of oral sedation

Appointment 2
Procedure appointment where the dental work is performed under sedation

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Short recovery period

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Post-operative instructions

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You are all sorted!

Follow-up visits may be necessary to monitor recovery and ensure the success of the treatment.

Dental sedation is perfect for anyone who turns into a human pretzel at the sight of a dental chair. If you break into a sweat just thinking about flossing, or if your dentist’s name is on your list of top ten fears, dental sedation is your new best friend. It’s like a superhero cape for your nerves, making sure you stay cool, calm, and collected while your teeth get the royal treatment! Dental sedation is especially suitable for:

• Patients with dental anxiety who fear dental procedures
• Children, especially those who are anxious or have difficulty sitting still
• Patients with a strong gag reflex
• Individuals requiring extensive procedures such as multiple extractions or complex surgeries
• Patients with low pain threshold

Dental sedation is like a magic carpet ride for your teeth! Imagine floating through your dental appointment without a care in the world, while your dentist transforms into a tooth superhero. No more white-knuckle grips on the chair or awkward gag reflex moments. Instead, you get to take a dreamy nap and wake up with a sparkling smile, wondering if it was all just a pleasant dream. It’s the ultimate dental spa day, minus the cucumber slices! The benefits of dental sedation include:

• Reduced anxiety helping patients feel calm and relaxed
• Pain management ensuring a pain-free experience during procedures
• Efficiency allows dentists to perform multiple procedures in one visit
• Comfort enhances patient comfort, making the dental visit more pleasant
• Improved cooperation especially useful for children and patients with special needs

Sedation is possible in dentistry primarily with nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide works by slowing down the nervous system, inducing a sense of calm. When inhaled through a mask, it quickly takes effect within three to five minutes, making patients feel relaxed. This sedation method reduces anxiety and discomfort during medical or dental procedures without fully putting the patient to sleep. Patients remain conscious and responsive, allowing them to follow instructions while experiencing minimal pain and stress. Recovery is quick too, inducing minimal post-operative consequences.

Dentistry played a pivotal role in the discovery and application of nitrous oxide anaesthesia, significantly advancing pain management in both dentistry and general surgery.

Dental sedation is primarily administered via inhalation, and involves breathing in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a mask. Rarely, it may be administered via the oral route—patients take a prescribed sedative pill before the procedure—or intravenous route, wherein sedative drugs are administered directly into the bloodstream through an IV line. General anaesthesia may become necessary in more complex cases, where the patient is put into a deep sleep, and is administered in a hospital set-up under admission.