Sedation

Sedation dentistry offers the patient an environment that is stress and anxiety free when performing dental treatment. It acts as a way for dentists to help patients overcome common dental phobias.

At Oak tree, we understand that you may have a certain dental phobias and offer IV sedation to provide you with a service where you can undergo dental treatment without having to withstand the unpleasantness of how these phobias make you feel.

IV sedation is where we administer a sedative drug into a vein via a cannula, usually placed into the back of the hand. You will be closely monitored by our team who will be consistently checking your pulse, oxygen levels and heart rate throughout the whole procedure and for a little while afterwards too. 

It is an extremely safe treatment as those who carry it out are highly qualified, trained and experienced in dental treatment under sedation.

What does it feel like? Will I be asleep?

In Intravenous (IV) sedation, the drug which is used tends to make people feel like they are asleep. IV sedation does not actually induce sleep; instead you actually remain conscious and can follow instructions from your dentist. However the feelings of relaxation will be so intense you will not hold onto any anxieties or phobias you had before the treatment started, and people often report little to no recollection of the visit afterwards. 

Advantages of IV Sedation?

  • The sedative takes effect very quickly.
  • IV sedation can also lead to an extreme level of sedation that is deeper and more intense than other methods of sedation.
  • People who suffer from a high gag reflex can often benefit greatly from IV Sedation
  • It has an amnesic effect which will enable you to forget anxieties associated with dental treatment

Disadvantages of IV Sedation?

  • If you have an extreme fear of needles, you may not find it easy to have the needle inserted intravenously.
  • The drugs may not stop affecting you even after the dental procedure is complete. For this reason, you need to be accompanied by a responsible adult (friend or family member) over the age of 18, who you trust to take care of you for 24 hours after the appointment.
Please note that we will not perform sedation if you do not bring an escort to your appointment. 

 

How to prepare for your sedation appointment...

  • Ensure you have had at least a light meal and plenty of water before your appointment
  • Ensure that you do not have any nail varnish or false nails applied when you come for your visit
  • It would be helpful to arrive with your escort promptly and report to the reception 5-10 minutes before your appointment. Any monies owed should be paid prior to the appointment, as we will not be able to take payments from you once you are sedated. 
  • Do not have any alcohol at least 24 hours before your appointment 
  • Sedation is not possible if you are pregnant, so please be sure to tell us if this is the case
  • Please take all of your medications as you normally would