Sedation Dentistry

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic in Bayside Medical Centre we have completed postgraduate specialised training in Sedation Dentistry. Sedation dentistry is a type of oral care treatment which helps patients to feel calm through sedation. This anti-anxiety drug for patients who are nervous undergoing dental treatments can be administered orally, intra-nasally or intravenously. At Smile Hub Dental Clinic we provide sedation for all general, cosmetic and emergency dental treatments for nervous patients including the extraction of wisdom teeth and root canal treatments.

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic in Bayside Medical Centre we understand that some patients may naturally be apprehensive about their visit to their dentist. If you feel nervous about your appointment please let us know so we can ensure your experience is a pleasant one.

Our friendly team of dental experts will always take their time to discuss your treatment plan so that we can address all of your concerns in advance. If you require a little extra help please just let us know as we offer oral, inhalation or intravenous sedation for any patients who may be apprehensive about treatment. At Smile Hub Dental Clinic our priority is to ensure a comfortable and relaxing experience for all our adult and paediatric dental patients. Dental Sedation is available for all anxious patients for all dental treatments in Smile Hub Dental Clinic.

Smile Hub Dental Clinic provides sedation for nervous adult and child patients for all dental treatment.

Types of Sedation

Laughing Gas (Nitrous Oxide)

This type of sedation means that the patient is awake and aware. Due to this it is safe to use on patients of all age groups. This form of sedation poses the least risk as any affects it causes stop once the mask is removed. Laughing gas is a good option for patients who have a dental phobia as it helps you to relax. A mask is placed over you nose where the dentist will ask you to take deep breaths. The patient will feel the affects of the laughing gas quite quickly but once the mask is removed this will wear off in a few moments. Due to this, patients are fine after their treatment and can drive if needed. This sedation can be used for many treatments but more invasive treatment may need more than laughing gas.

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation must be prescribed by your dentists before the treatment. This type of sedation makes a patient feel quite drowsy. A patient may even fall asleep but they will be able to be woken by a shake if cooperation is needed. Due to this type of sedation causing drowsiness, the patient will need somebody to collect them after their treatment to ensure their safety once they leave the clinic. If oral sedation is prescribed to you it is best that you book a morning appointment because there is a chance you may have to fast the night before. If a child has oral sedation they will need to be supervised for a day after treatment.

Intravenous(IV) Dental Sedation

IV sedation requires the insertion of an IV cannula into the patient’s vein so that a relaxing sedative drug can be administered. With IV sedation the patient will remain conscious and very comfortable throughout the entire dental procedure. The patient will be monitored throughout their treatment by their Dentist and Nurse. IV Dental Conscious Sedation is suitable for nervous patients and those undergoing invasive procedures. A responsible adult must accompany the patient and care for them as advised by Smile Hub Dental Clinic for 24 hours following their Dental Sedation treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sedation Dentistry feel like?

You will remain conscious and able to talk during your dental sedation in Smile Hub Dental Clinic. You will be able to understand and respond to our dental team. Intravenous sedation induces a state of deep relaxiation and you will be very comfortable throughout your dental treatment. The drugs used for sedation can cause partial or complete memory loss for the period of time that the drug is working until it wears off. You will feel that time passes quickly and you will not recall much about your dental treatment. You may in fact feel that you were ‘asleep’ during the procedure even though you weren’t.

Call us in Smile Hub Dental Clinic in North Dublin today or Book Online Now to arrange your nervous dental patient conscious sedation consultation.

Is local anaesthetic still needed?

Yes the drugs used for intravenous sedation are anti-anxiety drugs that relax you but you will still need to be numbed for your treatment. However, you will not be numbed until the intravenous sedation has taken effect. If you have a phobia of needles you will be really relaxed before the local anaesthetic injection is administered.

How is Sedation administered?

Intravenous sedation is administered into your vein. A thin needle is placed in your vein close to the skin in your arm or in the back of the hand. During the procedure your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels will be closely monitored. A typical sedation appointment ususally lasts 90 minutes.

What drug is used for my sedation dentistry?

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic in Bayside Medical Centre we use a benzodiazepine called midazolam.

Is sedation safe?

Yes, at Smile Hub Dental Clinic all of our sedation dentists have undergone an 18 month postgraduate Diploma in Conscious Sedation.

Contraindications to having sedation with dental treatment:

Sleep apnoea
Known allergy to benzodiazepine
Alcohol intoxication
Impaired renal or liver function
Pregnancy and breast feeding

Advantages of Conscious Sedation

Conscious sedation makes dental treatment relaxing and comfortable for patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety. The onset of action is rapid and the level of sedation can be tailored to the patient’s individual needs. A deeper level of sedation can be achieved with intravenous sedation compared to inhalation sedation.
Conscious sedation makes traumatic surgical procedures relaxing and comfortable for the patient. Benzodiazepines produce amnesia.
Patient’s with gag and swallow reflexes can have their dental treatment undertaken in comfort
Conscious sedation relieves stress for patients with mild medical conditions such as hypertension and asthma whose conditions can be aggravated by the stress of dental treatment
Conscious sedation makes dental treatment more comfortable for patients with mild intellectual and physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy

The following after care dental sedation advice is given by your dentist inSmile Hub Dental Clinic:

Have your escort take you home in private transport so that you can rest for the remainder of the day. You must be looked after by a responsible adult for 24 hours
Do not drive for 24 hours or operate any machinery or domestic appliances
Do not perform strenuous or hazardous activities such as mowing the lawn for 24 hours
Eat light meals for the remainder of the day
Do not drink alcohol, return to work, make important decisions or sign any legal documents for 24 hours
Take any medications that you have been prescribed at their usual times

What are the advantages of Conscious Sedation during dental treatment?

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic we educate our nervous patients on the following benefits of having conscious sedation with their dental treatment:

Conscious sedation makes dental treatment relaxing and comfortable for patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety. The onset of action is rapid and the level of sedation can be tailored to the patient’s individual needs. A deeper level of sedation can be achieved with intravenous sedation compared to inhalation sedation.
Conscious sedation makes traumatic surgical procedures relaxing and comfortable for the patient. Benzodiazepines produce amnesia.
Patient’s with gag and swallow reflexes can have their dental treatment undertaken in comfort
Conscious sedation relieves stress for patients with mild medical conditions such as hypertension and asthma whose conditions can be aggravated by the stress of dental treatment
Conscious sedation makes dental treatment more comfortable for patients with mild intellectual and physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy

What happens after I have sedation for my dental treatment in Smile Hub Dental Clinic?

Your dentist in Smile Hub Dental Clinic will go through what to expect before, during and after your dental treatment with sedation.

Have your escort take you home in private transport so that you can rest for the remainder of the day. You must be looked after by a responsible adult for 24 hours
Do not drive for 24 hours or operate any machinery or domestic appliances
Do not perform strenous or hazardous activities such as mowing the lawn for 24 hours
Eat light meals for the remainder of the day
Do not drink alcohol, return to work, make important decisions or sign any legal documents for 24 hours
Take any medications that you have been prescribed at their usual times