Dental Sedation in Lower Hutt

Sedation dentistry is a standard practice, tailored to help patients remain at ease during complex or extended dental treatments.

Before the initiation of the treatment, your dentist or clinician providing sedation support will insert a drip into a vein in your arm. This process will trigger a state of relaxation and slight drowsiness, though you’ll stay conscious throughout the procedure, capable of interacting and following instructions as needed. You will also be administered a local anaesthetic to help minimise discomfort during the treatment. Suitability, timelines, risks, costs, and outcomes vary and will be discussed during consultation.

During the procedure, your vital signs will be continuously monitored. Even if the entire treatment spans one or two hours, it will likely seem like only a handful of minutes due to the effects of sedation. Additionally, Many patients have little or no recollection of the procedure, though individual experiences vary.

Dentistry utilises sedation for an array of procedures, and sometimes even for simpler treatments if deemed appropriate.

For instance, patients receiving dental implants or undergoing wisdom teeth extraction. Both these procedures can be discomforting, particularly if the wisdom teeth are impacted or located in challenging positions.

Another common application of sedation is during comprehensive clearances, where it becomes a requirement to remove most, if not all teeth. Sedation may be considered for procedures that take a significant amount of time or that could be uncomfortable, subject to your dentist’s clinical assessment.

Therefore, it’s sometimes also used for patients who have dental anxiety or an intense gag reflex.

In specific cases, your dentist may recommend sedation for an upcoming procedure. You always have the right to accept or decline sedation. If you have any questions or concerns about whether sedation is right for you, please discuss them openly with your dentist.

That said, if you have anxiety or concerns about a treatment, you can also bring up the topic of sedation with your dentist. If the use of sedation means you can proceed with a necessary treatment for your oral health rather than postponing it indefinitely, it might be an excellent option for you.

Before proceeding with sedation, your dentist will review your medical history and discuss any risks, contraindications, and pre-procedure requirements such as fasting and arranging a responsible adult to take you home afterwards.