Sedation Dentistry FAQ’s

We have prepared some frequently asked questions for you about Sedation Dentistry.

If you have a specific question that you would like answered, please contact Glebe Dental and arrange an initial consultation, call (02) 9660 2927 or click here to email us.

Q. Am I a candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
A. If you are a person that avoids dental appointments because you have a strong fear of the Dentist, you are certainly not alone. There are an abundance of reasons why a person avoids the Dentist; the most common of them is called dental anxiety. While avoiding the Dentist may be a quick fix for your phobia, you are probably harming yourself more in the long run. From a minor problem such as gum disease, to more serious problems which require extensive treatments, avoiding the Dentist is not an option.

With Sedation Dentistry you can receive the treatment you need while you sit back and relax in a dream-like-state, often waking up with no recollection of the procedure. The bonus being that you are able to consolidate all of your treatments into one or two appointments, limiting the time and inconvenience that may be caused.

Q. When is Sedation Dentistry beneficial to patients?
A. Sedation could be perfect for you if you suffer from any of the following:

• Limited Time to Complete Dental Work
• Difficulty Getting Numb
• Sensitive Teeth
• Complex Dental Issues
• Dental Anxiety Traumatic Dental Experiences
• Dental Phobias – Fear of Needles
• Difficulty Controlling Movement
• Patients who suffer from acute or chronic jaw soreness
• Patients who have a gag reflex
• Patients with physical limitations such as back or neck problems

Q. Is my sedation being monitored when I am asleep?
A. Yes. Throughout the procedure you are constantly monitored by one of our dedicated team.

Q. What does Sedation Dentistry feel like?
A. Such terms as ‘Sleep Dentistry’ and ‘Twilight Dentistry’ are a little misleading as you will be awake for the procedure. However, you will be in a state of extreme relaxation; while still being able to understand and respond to the Dentist. Also the drugs that are used often induce partial or total amnesia, so even if you are awake it is likely that you will forget the procedure once it is over. Many people say that it is as if time is passing at a rapid rate and therefore when you wake it will appear that you were actually asleep during the procedure.

Q. Why am I feeling so anxious?
A. The great feeling of anxiety derives from some fear of future pain that may occur in the Dentist chair. This normally comes from a negative experience in the past that now manifests itself into a form of post-traumatic stress that freezes a person when confronted by the dentist.

Other people feel uncomfortable when hands are placed around the mouth and can heighten anxiety. By utilising Conscious Sedation, the Dentist can complete a treatment with the patient being asleep and feeling nothing.

Q. Do I need to be asleep for shorter treatments?
A. No. We have other forms of anaesthesia, such as Local Anaesthetic and Nitrous Oxide that are effective for the great majority of treatments. However, if your main concern is anxiety and fear then Conscious Sedation could be the favoured option for you.

Q. What are the post-operative effects?
A. It is imperative that the patient has a caregiver who is able to drive them home and stay with them until the Sedation fully wears off. Do not perform any strenuous or hazardous activities and do not drive a motor vehicle for the rest of the day. It is advised that the patient should not eat a heavy meal immediately. If the patient is hungry then they should eat something light like toast. If the patient experiences nausea, then a good tip is to lie down for a while or drink a glass of coke. Do not drink alcohol or take medications for the rest of the day unless you have contacted your Dentist first. Always take medications as directed by your Dentist.

Q. Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
A. Yes. Conscious sedation has been used by Dentists globally with great success for many years.

Q. What are the side effects?
A. Some of the common side effects of Sedation Dentistry include:

Retrograde amnesia – where a patient will have little or no recollection of the treatment

Little or no post-operative soreness – the patient will often recover sooner and not require any pain medications.

A dry mouth - This is because the Sedation decreases the saliva flow.

Hiccups - a small percentage of patients find that they experience hiccups. This is very uncommon, and usually only found in around 3% of patients and do not last longer than about 10 minutes.