Sedation

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Control your dental anxiety with sedation

If you are nervous about seeing the dentist, you are not alone. Many people, of all ages and backgrounds, feel anxious about dental treatment. You may be anxious about specific aspects of treatment, or perhaps you had an unpleasant experience as a child. Whatever the reason, we understand and are here to help make you feel more relaxed and comfortable with our judgement-free care. Please feel free to mention your fears to us and we will do our best to alleviate them.

How can we help nervous patients?

At Charlton Road Dental, we are passionate about helping every patient feel able to access our high standards of dental treatment and care. We have many ways to help you at our welcoming practice.

1. Relaxed and calm appointments

We believe in a caring, patient, non-judgemental, professional and experienced approach to dealing with anxious patients. We carry out dental examinations at your pace, with constant explanation and reassurance, letting you know you are in control at all times. We are dedicated to helping you break through your dental anxiety with support and encouragement.

2. Treatment plans

In proposing treatment, we will always seek your consent and take account of your own wishes. We will explain all the options and costs before embarking on any treatment so that you can make an informed choice.

3. Stop signals

You are always in control whilst in our care. You have the power to start or stop treatment by simply raising a hand, as one would do for example at school to catch the attention of the teacher.

4. Pain management

All the dentists at our practice are most concerned with providing pain-free treatment. We always numb the injection site by using bubble-gum flavoured surface anaesthetics for every patient. Pain felt during injections is usually due to the anaesthetic being delivered too quickly, not allowing the gums time to expand. We therefore ensure all our injections are delivered as slowly as possible. We only use anaesthetic solutions at room temperature as it has been reported that pain is more pronounced if the anaesthetic solution is cold on delivery.

Frequently asked questions

Is sedation safe?

Yes, sedation is completely safe when administered and monitored by a qualified and experienced professional. We are fully qualified in sedation treatment and put our patient’s safety first. We make sure you understand the process before we begin and what will be happening during your treatment. As you remain conscious throughout, the risks associated with general anaesthetic are avoided.

Can I request sedation?

If you feel that sedation would help you feel more calm and relaxed during certain dental treatments, please talk to your dentist. Our priority is to help you feel comfortable in our care, and we are happy to discuss your suitability for sedation, and any other options we feel may benefit you. Remember, by looking after your teeth, eating a healthy balanced diet, and visiting the dentist regularly, you are in control and can dramatically reduce the likelihood of treatment!

How do I prepare for sedation?

To prepare for your sedation treatment, you should eat a light meal 1-2 hours before your appointment, and make sure you take all your routine medication as normal. It is also important that you arrange for someone to accompany you to your appointment, as you will need to be driven home and looked after for the rest of the day.

Do I still need an anaesthetic injection if I have sedation?

If your dental treatment requires a local anaesthetic to numb an area of your mouth, this is still required even if you are having sedation. However, the anaesthetic is not administered until after the sedation has taken effect, meaning you are very likely not to remember this taking place.

Can I still talk if I have sedation?

You will still be able to talk if you have intravenous sedation. You remain conscious and able to communicate, but it is likely you will not remember any of these conversations once the effects of the sedation have worn off.