Most procedures are simple and normal local anaesthetics are adequate, however if you are anxious or have dental anxiety you may consider several effective techniques to help you relax.
These include:
Conscious Sedation: (also known as intravenous sedation) involves administration of an anti-anxiety drug by an anaesthetist. You are awake, but do not remember much about the procedure. It is a pleasant and stress free way of having dental implants.
General Anaesthetic:– In very exceptional circumstances we may decide it is best for you to be asleep during a very complex surgical procedure
During the sedation you remain conscious and you will be able to understand and respond to requests from your dentist. However, you will remember very little about your treatment because the sedation will;
- induces a state of deep relaxation
- you will feel unbothered by what’s going on
- produce partial or full memory suppression (amnesia). As a result, time will appear to pass very quickly and you will not recall much of what happened. Because people remember very little or nothing they feel as if they were “asleep” during the procedure
Other advantages of intravenous sedation for patients with disproportionate dental anxiety include:
- the entire surgical treatment is carried out whilst you feel relaxed and a little sleepy whilst free from any pain or anxiety
- sedation does not make you feel sick or nauseous
- because you feel less stressed and cooperate readily the surgeon can provide your treatment much easily
Conscious (or intravenous) sedation reduces stress or anxiety and may be a nice way of having advance/complex implant procedures. Your dentist or the implant surgeon will assess your needs and advise you of the available anaesthetic choices for your implant operation. Please do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your dental professionals.
The Anaesthetic Team
Our highly trained and experienced anaesthetic team includes a consultant anaesthetists and medical anesthetic & recovery OPDs. In preparation for the operation our dedicated preoperative anaesthetic nurse performs medical screening, and appropriate investigations such as ECG and blood tests.
