Anxious Patients / Tranquil Dental Options
Are you anxious about dental treatment? You are not alone, and we can help!
Welcome to the very big club of people who are anxious, scared or even terrified of dental treatment.
There are lots of things we do that help including:
- Our calm friendly supportive team, understand exactly how you feel when you visit the dentist, and we are here to make you feel as comfortable throughout your dental treatment. At anytime please feel free to let us know anything we can do to make your experience better.
- Use of local anaesthetics, with a numbing ointment and anaesthetic solutions that are warmed to body temperature (its more comfortable) we can also use shorter acting anaesthetics so you don't stay numb for hours.
- Television/ videos in the ceiling above you with cordless headphones (see the selection below or bring your own) .
- Nitrous oxide (sometimes called "laughing gas") which is a gentle way of relaxing you in conjunction with local anaesthetics.
- The use of rubber dam and its importance in calming people is a big help ensuring that you don't have water etc. falling down the back of your throat and allows you to relax. With rubber dam and local anaesthetics many people have been known to fall asleep.
- Education of our patients explaining procedures and remove the fear of the unknown. Adequate time allocation means we are not rushed.
If You Are Really Anxious
Intravenous sedation (sometimes referred to as Sleep Dentistry) offers the great advantage of you being totally relaxed throughout your dental procedure.
- Intravenous sedation, administered and monitored by our dedicated, qualified and experienced dental practitioner specifically trained in the field of dental sedation techniques.
- It creates a profoundly peaceful and dreamlike state of sedation that makes the dental experience relaxing, comfortable and enjoyable.
- Intravenous sedation is the most advanced sedation technique available for overcoming the fears, anxiety and discomfort that prevent many people from getting the dental treatment they need.
- It takes the trauma and distress out of your dentist visit. After only a short waking period you will be ready to go home and without any hangover effect.
Intravenous sedation is safer than any general anaesthetic and does not require hospitalisation. You can have Intravenous sedation while you sit in the dentist's chair!
Intravenous sedation is ideal for people who:
- Have a low pain threshold or difficulty getting numb
- Dislike the noises, smells, tastes and pain of dental treatment
- Have a strong or "hair-trigger" gag reflex (gag easily)
- Have very sensitive teeth or gums
- Have complex dental problems or need long sessions of work done
- Are busy and wish to have more work done in fewer sessions
- Find dental treatments tedious, uncomfortable or boring
- Are fearful and anxious about any aspect of dentistry
General anaesthetics can also be arranged. We have a general anaesthetic facility available in Randwick adjacent to the Prince of Wales Hospital where a qualified Medical Anaesthetist and full recovery facilities are available.
