Having a fear of the dentist is one of the most common phobias around, and much of the reason these anxieties exist is down to the unfriendly-looking, clinical dental practice environments of the past. Today, it’s a very different story. Practices like The Bristol Dental Practice are often warm and inviting environments that go out of the way to help patients feel relaxed and safe in their surroundings. This has massively helped to turn the tide on how the general public feel about coming in to see the dentist.
However, there are still a proportion of people affected by dental anxiety. If you’re scared of the dentist, you may wish to benefit from dental sedation here in Bristol.
How is dental sedation administered?
Dental sedation is most often administered via a vein on the back of the hand (intravenously), using a small needle called a cannula. We can also provide sedation via your mouth, nose or through a mask. Here at The Bristol Dental Practice, we will usually provide sedation intravenously but in some instances, we may recommend oral or nasal sedation.
Is IV (intravenous) sedation the same as general anaesthesia?
No. Under IV sedation you’ll still be awake but you won’t feel any pain. Meanwhile, during general anesthesia you are placed into a deep sleep that will not be interrupted, even as the dentist works to perform your treatment.
IV sedation places patients in a much more comfortable state of serenity and reduced anxiety and once the effects wear off, there is not the same level of ‘grogginess’ and fatigue often associated with general anaesthesia.
What are the benefits of sedation at The Bristol Dental Practice?
- It makes lengthy procedures pass quickly.
- You may not even be able to recall having the treatment performed.
- We have highly experienced dentists at The Bristol Dental Practice. Dr Jonathan Cochrane has undertaken a year-long training programme in conscious sedation at the Eastman Dental Hospital (UCL) in London. Dr Rob Endicott has performed sedation thousands of times and has 15 years of experience. You can be sure you’re in great hands with us.
- You will feel relaxed and comfortable throughout the whole process.
- IV sedation is fast-acting, taking effect in a matter of seconds.
- IV sedation does not interfere with any fundamental body processes – it simply eliminates your ability to feel pain. You will still be able to breathe independently and have the mobility to open your mouth wider, should your dentist require you to. With this in mind, the nature of IV sedation makes it easy for the dentist to identify any abnormalities during the procedure and to respond promptly to resolve them.
What type of procedures can be performed under sedation?
IV sedation can be used for virtually any procedure that we offer here at The Bristol Dental Practice, not just for complex cases. Some common procedures performed under sedation include fillings, a root canal, dental implants surgery, crowns, tooth extractions and periodontal treatments.
Who else is dental sedation for?
You may also benefit from dental sedation here in Bristol if you:
- Have trouble getting numb with anesthetics in the past.
- You have a strong gag reflex.
- You have sensitive teeth and/or gums.
- Have trouble staying still for prolonged periods. If you’re having multiple procedures performed in one session, sedation can be a useful way to remain still through what might be a lengthy procedure.
Sedation at The Bristol Dental Practice: your journey
Step 1: We will always book you in for a sedation consultation as the initial first step. This is to discuss your treatment, so that you’re fully aware of what’s involved and to address any questions you might have. We believe in full transparency before any treatment takes place, so you’ll be given a fully itemized treatment plan with all the costs outlined for you to approve. Once approved, we can book you in with our Treatment Coordinator, who can answer any non-clinical questions you might have and book you in for your procedure.
Step 2: We will ask you to sign our consent forms and medical forms, in which we will ask you to let us know of any medical conditions you have and any medications you are taking, or are allergic to. The majority of these forms can be provided online, or you can request printed copies. Please bring your completed forms along with you on the day of treatment, as we will not be able to proceed without them.
Are there any side effects to be aware of?
- In some very rare cases, patients may experience some nausea. Rest assured, our team are well versed in managing this and will seek to reverse this straight away, so you can undergo your chosen procedure comfortably, under sedation.
- Your blood pressure may drop, but this is perfectly normal.
- Once treatment is complete, patients can sometimes feel a little drowsy once the effects of sedation wear off and they’re back on their feet. This lasts only a couple of hours after treatment, so you will feel normal again very quickly.
The amazing after-effects of sedation
Did you know? In many cases patients find that after having had a procedure performed with sedation just once, they don’t require it in the future. We believe great dentistry is all about redefining patients’ experiences and helping them to create new and positive memories of the dentist.
Why choose The Bristol Dental Practice if you’re scared of the dentist?
We’re always thrilled when patients report back to us that their perceptions have changed. It’s why we do what we do. If you’re looking to have a procedure performed under sedation, The Bristol Dental Practice are highly experienced at carrying this out, so you can be sure you’ll have pain free dentistry, performed by professionals who genuinely care about your welfare. Our team have been specially selected for their individual skillsets and because they share in The Bristol Dental Practice’s values of helping others feel great and delivering successful and streamlined multi-disciplinary dentistry.
If you’re scared of the dentist, why not take our virtual 3D tour, so you can familiarise yourself with the practice environment?
Read more about our patients’ experiences on the testimonials page.
Contact us for dental sedation in Bristol
If you’d like to find out a bit more about dental sedation for nervous patients here in Bristol, call on 0117 910 59 29 or send us an email via our website. We look forward to welcoming both new and existing patients alike.