Many patients seeing a Birmingham dentist often suffer from feelings of anxiety and nervousness when it comes to routine dental treatment. Whilst a gentle, unhurried and sympathetic approach to Dentistry is most often practiced by our dentists, for some patients their experience at the dental surgery can be more comfortable with intravenous sedation.

Intravenous sedation Birmingham

Sedation is a procedure that uses sedative medications to relieve anxiety in patients, making them feel relaxed and comfortable. It is usually known by dental patients in Birmingham as “getting put to sleep”. However, whilst you don’t actually fall asleep during the treat you are actually in a drowsy and sleepy state. Sedation is different from anaesthesia in medical procedures, where the patient is put into a deeper state of sleep. Sedative dentistry benefits a large number of patients, such as those suffering from dental phobia to those with an extreme fear of needles.

Intravenous sedation enables you to relax and feel at ease during your dental treatment. Sedation makes you feel like you’ve had a couple bottles of wine, very relaxed and “chilled out”. Most patients that undergo sedation say that they really enjoy the experience!

Intravenous sedation treatment

Intravenous sedation is usually administered in the back of the hand or in the patients arm. Our Birmingham dentists at the Scott Arms Dental practice use a drug called Midazolam, this produces sleepiness or drowsiness in patients and relieves anxiety before the required dental treatment takes place. Once administered to the patient, the drug acts very quickly and the patient becomes more relaxed in a short period of time. The patient stays awake and is still able to communicate with the dentist, but can’t usually remember any of the procedure.

Who is eligible intravenous sedation?

Your Birmingham Dentist will carry out a pre-operative assessment, which includes factors such as; age, medical status, degree of anxiety and the difficulty of the work required. Following the assessment your dentist will advise you on whether intravenous sedation is a recommended option required treatment.

What to do before you undergo sedation

In order to undergo sedation at our dental practice, you must be accompanied by a responsible person, who is able to wait and escort you home. It is advised that you arrange for someone to stay with you for the remainder of the day after treatment.

We advise our patients against eating a heavy meal prior to undergoing sedation. An acceptable option is a light meal (such as tea and toast) together with a small non-alcoholic beverage roughly 2 hours before the treatment. Routine medication should be still taken, we advise the patient to bring all medication with them, including inhalers. Patients should wear shoes with a flat heel, and loose clothing that doesn’t restrict breathing and lets you roll up your sleeves. Alcohol should be avoided within the 24 hour period before your appointment.

What to do after your sedation treatment

We advise that you are driven home by car with an accompanied escort. You must not drive or go out on the road, and should rest quietly at home for the remainder of the day. Any equipment that may harm you should be avoided (e. g cookers, kettles, power tools, sharp objects etc.) It is advised that you don’t sign any important legal documents and alcohol should be avoided within the 24 hour period after your sedation treatment.

Sedation Dentist in Birmingham

Intravenous sedation is such a fantastic tool to help alleviate anxiety from dental patients requiring dental treatment. From wisdom teeth extractions to dental implant treatment, the technique of dental sedation has helped many patients suffering from dental phobia to help get the treatment they need. If you have any questions regarding Intravenous Sedation or any other dental matters, feel free to contact the Scott Arms Dental Practice in Birmingham on 0121 357 0500 where we will happy to take your call.