DENTAL TREATMENT FOR ANXIOUS PATIENTS AT ESTETICA
CAN I COPE WITH “THE INJECTION IN THE GUM”?
No one likes having dental treatment but many of us manage to accept our dentistry with the help of an injection in the gum, (local anaesthetic). Some of us however require alternative methods of pain and anxiety control. There are a number of these which can be used either on their own or in conjunction with the familiar local anaesthetic. Your dentist will understand your anxieties and will be pleased to discuss your options.
General anaesthesia is now largely confined to the safety of the hospital environment. There are still however a small number of patients, especially children and some adults where the treatment is best provided under a general anaesthetic and for whom appropriate referral to hospital is justified.
To replace general anaestheia there is now a range of safer modern alternatives. The range extends from tender loving care right through to conscious sedation provided by your dentist giving you an injection in your arm, or hand.
Oral sedation, inhalational sedation and the injection in the arm are the more commonly used techniques but many dentists can produce good results using hypnosis or acupuncture either alone or in conjunction with other treatment methods. Should you feel that these alternatives are for you, then talk to your dentist.
WILL ORAL SEDATION HELP?
Oral sedatives are taken by mouth in the form of tablets, capsules or liquids. These drugs can either be used to relax you before your trip to the dentist (premedication) or act as a sedative to help you when you are having your dental treatment. Both adults and children receiving treatment under oral sedation must be accompanied by a responsible adult who can give the patient their undivided attention both before and for the rest of the day after treatment. Your dentist will need to know about your general health and about any current medication.
IS INHALATIONAL SEDATION FOR ME?
In this method of sedation you breathe a mixture of special gases which act to relax you. The most common combination is nitrous oxide and oxygen which is known by other names like ‘gas & air’, ‘Entonox’ or ‘Relative Analgesia’. This technique is very safe with a rapid recovery time and is good for adults but is especially suited to treating anxious children.
The mixture of gases is delivered through a small comfortable nosepiece which is positioned to cover the nose and not the mouth. A specially designed machine delivers the gases and can be adjusted by your dentist in response to your needs. You may experience a warm tingly floaty feeling which allows you more easily to accept the dental treatment.
There are of course requirements both before and after the treatment with inhalational sedation and the instructions given by your dentist should be strictly obeyed. Your dentist will need to know about your general health and will require details of any current medication you are taking.
DO I NEED AN INJECTION IN THE ARM?
With this method of conscious sedation the sedation drugs are administered by an injection into a vein in your arm or in the back of your hand. Your dentist will usually use only one drug, but may in some circumstances use a combination of drugs to sedate you to the required state. The onset of sedation is rapid and precise. Although you will remain in verbal contact with your dentist you may well remember very little about your treatment. This technique of conscious sedation is very different from a general anaesthetic where you are fully unconscious.
Recovery after this technique of sedation is slow and you will certainly not be able to leave the premises until advised by your dentist. You will be required to bring a responsible adult with you to escort you home. You may feel sleepy and be irresponsible afterwards and your escort must be able to give you undivided attention until you are safely resting at home. There will be a need for supervision for the rest of the day and amongst other instructions you must not drive, operate machinery or make serious decisions. The following day you should be fit to resume your normal activities.
This technique is popular with patients and is used to overcome the fear of dentistry. I offers a safer powerful alternative to general anaesthesia. Your dentist will need to know about your general health and medication in order to assess your suitability for this technique.
• There is a range of pain and anxiety control options available to make your dental treatment easier to accept.
• Discuss your fears and anxieties with your dentist.
• General Anaesthesia is now rarely needed because of safer modern alternatives.
• When accepting your treatment under sedation you must follow the instruction you will be given both before and after your treatment.