Sedation Dentistry

Besides the gentle care from our dentists and clinical staff to ensure your total comfort and ease during treatment, safe and effective sedation options are available and may be needed or recommended. Although most routine and non-routine dental procedures are painless, certain types of procedures as well as certain situations or patient conditions may call for the prescription of sedatives. 

Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during a dental procedure. In dentistry, sedation used will still keep patients awake with the exception of those who are under general anaesthesia.

Factors to Consider

  1. Surgical Procedure
    All surgical procedures are performed under Local Anaesthetic for the comfort of our patients. This include extractions, minor oral surgery, implant, gum surgery, RCT and other restorative procedures. Additional anaesthesia may be considered for very complex or multiple dental procedure. 
  2. Pain threshold
    Patients with low pain threshold are most likely to opt for or be recommended local anaesthesia, even for non-surgical procedures. A patient’s needs for any form of anaesthesia can be assessed during a consultation prior to treatment. Apart from low pain threshold, patients with severe gag reflex or very sensitive teeth will also benefit from aenesthesia. 
  3. Special-needs patients and young children
    With parental/guardian consent, a minor can undergo vital treatment with ease with the help of safe and effective sedation. Sedation can prevent a child or special-needs patient from having to go through a “traumatic” experience as they may not be able to fully comprehend a procedure or cooperate. 

Types of Sedation Available at Dentalpro

Local Anaesthetic (LA)

The most commonly applied sedation is local anaesthesia (LA) which numbs only the area to be treated and has a short-term effect depending on quantity applied. The delivery of LA via a syringe itself is not painful as a numbing gel is applied topically prior to injection.

Oral Sedation

While LA effectively removes any physical pain and discomfort, Oral Sedation can help reduce patient’s heightened levels of fear, anxiety and nervous jitters. Oral sedative is a controlled drug that may be prescribed by our dentists, subject to necessity and patient’s condition. It is effective in mildly tranquilizing a patient; keeping him/her relaxed but conscious enough to cooperate during treatment.

The effects of Oral Sedation may last for about 2-3 hours depending on dosage and patient’s response. If opting for this sedative, patients will be kept for observation for a short duration post-procedure and advised to be accompanied when attending treatment.

Gas Sedation 

Known also as “Laughing Gas”, Nitrous Oxide - combined with oxygen is inhaled through a mask that's placed over your nose to help you relax. The amount of gas is controlled by your trained dentist and it is normally just enough for you to get through your procedure with comfort.

The level of sedation you receive is considered moderate sedation as you will be conscious although you will not remember much about your procedure. The effects of gas sedation wears off quickly, therefore you will be able to function normally after your procedure.

Gas sedation is recommended for young children and uncooperative patients with special needs as an effective option to General Anaesthesia. It is safe and without prolonged effects as the effects can be reversed immediately after treatment. 

General Anaesthetic (GA)

 

General Anaesthesia medication will make you totally unconscious and in deep sleep during the procedure. Once under GA, you will only awaken once the effects have worn off. The effects will linger for a few hours post-procedure. 

As added precaution, General Anaesthesia can only be administered by a qualified Anaesthetist in an operating room that has emergency resuscitation equipment available.

PRECAUTION

There is always a risk associated with anesthesia. However, when it is administered by an experienced dentists, and in the case of GA – by an Anaesthetist, you are in safe hands. 

Nevertheless it is important that you fully disclose your medical condition and medical history to your dentists when considering anaesthesia. This will help our dentist determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for sedation. Patients with certain medical conditions such as heart condition, asthma, sleep apnea and obesity will require more considerations they are more likely to develop complications from the anaesthesia.

Dentalpro has trained and qualified Dentists to administer different types of sedation and will take all necessary precaution to ensure your safety.