Dental Sedation Brisbane: Guide and Information

Dental sedation benefits

Sedation dentistry is not just popular due to reducing anxiety, it has many other benefits to both patients and dentists which are listed below:

• Increased calmness

• Increased comfort

• Controlled gag reflux

• Little to no memory of treatment

• Time savings – Dentist is more efficient due to co-operation

Dental sedation equipment

Equipment can vary depending on the type of dental sedation used.

The most commonly used pieces of equipment are the gas delivery system, simple nosepiece, and our intravenous (IV) system.

We go into more detail about this in the next section on dental sedation options.

Types of Dental Sedation

The three main types of dental sedation are inhalation sedation, oral sedation, and intravenous (IV) sedation.

Inhalation sedation/ Happy Gas/ Laughing Gas

Inhalation sedation has a few different names but is most commonly known as “happy gas”, “laughing gas” and “nitrous sedation”.

Inhalation sedation uses a simple nosepiece connected to a gas delivery system to deliver a constant stream of nitrous oxide. It is a great solution to reduce anxiety and stress. We use it as a standard option on most general treatments, small procedures and assessments.

Unlike other sedatives, nitrous oxide has no lasting side effects and patients can go back to their day right after their treatment or procedure is finished.

Laughing gas truly is a “happy” solution to nervous patients.

Oral sedation

Oral sedation is normally used in combination with intravenous (IV) sedation or by itself to have a calming effect or boost the effect of other sedation types.

The benefits to oral sedation are that it is easily administered (Simply taking a pill) and has the same benefits of other sedatives such as reducing anxiety, stress and leaving little to no memory of the treatment.

Intravenous (IV) Sedation

Intravenous (IV) sedation uses a medical grade drip or syringe to administer sedative directly into the bloodstream. It is used by dentists when a state of “deep sedation” is needed or useful. It can provide the following benefits:

1. Increased efficiency from jaw and tooth movement control

2. No gag reflex that could intervene with treatment

3. Greatly increased comfort to patient from sight and sound of treatment

St Lucia Dental does not currently offer IV sedation, however we see all patient cases and if necessary will refer to the relevant specialist.

Dental sedation risks

Dental sedation does carry some risk from either airway obstruction, apnea or hypertension.

This is why any dental sedation option requires the presence of trained health professionals to detect and manage these potential problems.

Dental sedation side effects

Before requesting or using dental sedation your dentist will check with you to see whether you have any possible health concerns which may interfere with dental sedation.

Patients in good health will have little to no side effects from sedation.

However, if you are experiencing or have any of the following symptoms it is important you let your dentist know as these characteristics can interfere with the pharmacological agents in sedatives. The symptoms or characteristics that may affect sedation include:

• Known drug allergies or sensitivities

• Hypertension (High blood pressure)

• Heart defects/ heart anomaly/ heart disease

• Kidney problems

• Other allergens (Skin or food related)

• History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)

• Neuromuscular disorders

• Taking medications or herbal supplements

Is sedation dentistry safe?

All dental procedures and treatments carry some degree of risk. Sedation dentistry is no different and carries the risks mentioned above in this guide.

How much does sedation dentistry cost?

Dental sedation cost and pricing vary depending on the treatment and your health insurance provider.

Sedation is normally covered under health insurance for major treatments and procedures where it would help prevent complications.

For smaller procedures or check-ups, sedation may be included in your general cover depending on your annual limit. This means sedation can cost you little to no out of pocket expense depending on the level of cover.

We will always let you know during your consultation how much you can expect to pay so you can determine your exact out of pocket expense when choosing sedation dentistry.

Does dental insurance cover sedation/ Is dental sedation covered by insurance?

Dental sedation coverage depends on your health insurance provider, level of cover, existing mental health conditions, treatment or procedure.

If you are in doubt… Our dentists will let you know of any out of pocket expenses during your consultation so you will know whether dental sedation is included with your treatment.