Sedation dentistry is a form of dentistry that involves using methods and medications to sedate the patient. Sedation enables the patient to feel completely relaxed during the procedure without being unconscious. Sedation dentistry is widely regarded as an effective solution for people who suffer from dental phobia or dental anxiety.

There are many different methods and these come under the umbrella term sedation dentistry, which include laughing gas (nitrous oxide), intravenous sedation and oral conscious sedation.

Who can benefit from sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry can be used for patients who are having a wide range of treatments and procedures, and it is particularly beneficial for patients who feel nervous or anxious about having treatment. Dental anxiety is very common and most feel a degree of nervousness before going to the dentist. However, for some people, this anxiety is so severe that they avoid going to a see a dentist until they are experiencing intolerable pain. Sedation can help to make patients feel relaxed and calm, both before and during a dental procedure and it is also effective for patients who have other types of phobia, such as a phobia of needles or the dental drill.

As well as being beneficial for patients, sedation dentistry is also beneficial for dentists, as they can focus on the procedure without having to worry about their patient feeling anxious and worried. Patients are also more likely to be cooperative if they are sedated during a procedure.

Is sedation suitable for everyone?

Sedation is suitable for many patients but it is not suitable for everyone and if you are taking certain forms of medication or you have allergies, it is important that you talk to your dentist about this before you are sedated. In some cases, patients have a fear of being sedated, which makes them unsuitable candidates for sedation.