Sedation Dentist in Guildford, Surrey
Nervous about dental treatment? Sedation dentistry can help you feel calmer, more relaxed and more in control during your appointment at Woodbridge Hill Dental Practice.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry, sometimes called relaxation dentistry, refers to the way dentists manage pain and anxiety during dental appointments.
Some people feel so scared of the dentist that they avoid treatment altogether. Sedation and relaxation techniques can help nervous patients overcome their fears and access the dental care they need.
Our team is sympathetic about dental anxiety, and you can ask our dentist about the options available to help you feel more comfortable.
Book Your Initial Sedation Consultation
Dr Munir Ravalia
Sedation Dentist
Munir has completed training as a Senior House Officer in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery at Kingston and St George’s Hospitals. He has also worked at King’s College Hospital as a Specialty Doctor.
He is currently a Clinical Lecturer in Conscious Sedation at The Royal London Hospital. Munir has trained in acupuncture for the head and neck region, obtained a Medical Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis, and runs a nervous patient clinic.
He has also completed postgraduate training in intravenous and inhalation sedation at the Eastman Dental Institute.
BDS London, MFDS RCS Eng, PGCert Sedation UCL London
GDC: 80995
Before & After Cases
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Our Sedation Patient Video Testimonials
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Dental Sedation Options for Nervous Patients
We offer different dental sedation options for nervous patients in Guildford and Surrey. Your dentist will discuss your anxiety level, treatment needs and medical history before recommending the most suitable option.
Oral Sedation
Medication may be prescribed to help relieve anxiety before a dental appointment.
Inhalation Sedation
Also known as laughing gas, this can help patients feel calm and relaxed.
IV Sedation
Intravenous sedation can help highly anxious patients feel deeply relaxed.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis may help some patients manage anxiety, gag reflex or unwanted habits.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is prescribed for relieving anxiety in the hours immediately before a dental appointment. These medications can have a sedative effect and may also have some degree of amnesic effect for many people.
This means some patients remember little or nothing about their dental appointment.
Advantages of Dental Oral Sedation
- Easy to administer by swallowing a small pill
- Works well for many people
- Safe and easy to monitor
- Low cost compared with some other options
Suitable For Nervous Patients
Oral sedation may be suitable for patients who feel anxious before appointments and would like support before treatment begins.
Your dentist will assess whether this is appropriate for you based on your medical history and planned treatment.
Inhalation Sedation: Laughing Gas
Inhalation sedation, sometimes known as relative analgesia or laughing gas, involves breathing in a mixture of gases through a comfortable nosepiece.
This can quickly lead to a pleasant, relaxed feeling. You remain conscious throughout treatment, although you may feel a little drowsy. Treatment should cause no discomfort.
You cannot overdose on the gas, as the mixture quickly leaves the body if you breathe ordinary air. There are usually no after-effects, and many patients recover quickly.
This type of sedation may also be suitable for young children and teenagers.
Advantages of Dental Inhalation Sedation
- Rapid onset
- Flexible duration for different appointment lengths
- Easy to control the level of sedation
- Fast recovery
- Very few side effects
- Can help with pain control
- Many patients can return to normal activities quickly
IV Sedation
Intravenous sedation, or IV sedation, is designed to help you undergo dental treatment while you are very relaxed. It can help reduce the anxiety and nervousness linked with treatment.
You may not always be asleep, but you will feel comfortable, calm and relaxed, drifting in and out of sleep. Many patients remember little about the procedure afterwards.
IV sedation is administered and monitored by our sedationist while treatment is carried out.
How Is IV Sedation Administered?
A thin needle is introduced into a vein in your arm or hand. Some patients may fall asleep, while others slip in and out of sleep. Patients with certain medical conditions or medications may only be lightly sedated.
The aim of IV sedation is to use as little medication as possible to complete the treatment comfortably. A constant drip is maintained through the intravenous tube, and an antidote can be administered if required.
IV sedation is considered very safe when it is carefully planned, administered and monitored by trained professionals.
For Higher Anxiety Levels
IV sedation can be especially helpful for highly anxious patients or for procedures that feel difficult to face without additional support.
Book Online NowHypnotherapy: Hypnosis
Hypnosis could be described as the quieting of the conscious mind. People enter this state naturally every day, for example when lost in thought, daydreaming, listening to music, browsing the web or driving on autopilot.
Some applications of hypnosis in dentistry include controlling a strong gag reflex, helping with chronic facial pain, and modifying unwanted habits such as teeth grinding.
Hypnosis can work extremely well for some people, but a relevant assessment is needed first.
Hypnosis works by accessing the unconscious mind and placing new, positive instructions there. It is a natural state, similar to daydreaming, where your mind is free to wander while you remain vaguely aware of your surroundings.
Get in TouchBook Your Appointment
Contact Woodbridge Hill Dental Practice today if you have any queries about the sedation services we provide.
Our opening hours are 8.00am until 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, and 8.00am until 3.00pm on Saturdays.
You can call us on 01483 568584, book online, or send an email to reception@woodbridgedental.co.uk.
Support for Dental Anxiety
Fear of the dentist is more common than many people think. Sedation dentistry offers a caring and compassionate option for patients who feel nervous, anxious or worried about dental treatment.
We will listen to your concerns and help you understand which option may be most suitable for you.
FAQs: Sedation Dentist in Surrey
Fear of the dentist is more common than you might think. Sedation dentistry can provide a comfortable option for nervous patients who want dental care with extra support.
Why am I so nervous to see my dentist?
Many patients find dental visits stressful. Common reasons include previous negative experiences, sensitive teeth, resistance to local anaesthetic, embarrassment about teeth, gag reflex, fear of drills or needles, or general high anxiety.
What is sedation dentistry?
In sedation dentistry, medication is administered before or during treatment to help you stay comfortable and relaxed while your dental work is completed. Different options are available depending on your anxiety level and treatment needs.
What are my options for sedation?
Options may include inhalation sedation, oral sedation and IV sedation. Inhalation sedation uses gas through a mask, oral sedation uses medication, and IV sedation is given directly into a vein for a stronger relaxing effect.
Will I be awake for the procedure?
Yes. You will remain conscious, but in a very relaxed state. You should be able to respond to your dentist’s instructions, although the appointment may feel shorter and you may remember little of the process.
Can children be sedated?
Yes. IV sedation may be used for older children and teenagers when appropriate. For younger children, inhalation sedation may be the better option when IV sedation is not suitable.
Will sedation dentistry be painful?
Sedation dentistry is designed with nervous patients in mind. The tooth or treatment area will usually still be anaesthetised after sedation, so you should not feel pain during the procedure.
How long will the procedure take?
This depends on the treatment needed and your individual needs. Longer appointments may take one or two hours, while shorter procedures may be completed more quickly.
How quickly will I recover from the sedative?
Recovery depends on the type of sedation, dose and appointment length. Nitrous oxide recovery is usually rapid. With IV or oral sedation, you will need someone to take you home and should avoid alcohol, driving and machinery until you have recovered.
Are there any risks?
Sedation dentistry is generally safe when planned and monitored properly. Patients with heart or respiratory conditions, diabetes, obesity or sleep apnoea may need additional medical checks before treatment can go ahead.
Visit Woodbridge Hill Dental Practice
Woodbridge Hill Dental Practice is located at 49A Woodbridge Hill, Guildford, GU2 9ZD. We welcome nervous patients from Guildford and the wider Surrey area.
Call us today on 01483 568584 or book your initial sedation consultation online.
Opening days: Monday to Saturday.
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Book Your Initial Sedation Consultation in Guildford
If dental anxiety has stopped you from getting treatment, Woodbridge Hill Dental Practice can help you explore calming sedation options in a supportive setting.