If you’ve ever wondered what dental sedation was like, read on! One of our patients shares their experience with IV sedation for their recent dental appointment with Dr Gangadin. 

I’ve struggled with fear of the dentist for many years as an adult, which I think arose after needing extractions as a child. I was left feeling stressed at even just the thought of a check-up! After finding out I needed to have two teeth removed, I was feeling so anxious I’d started having nightmares about it. So, it was no surprise that I requested to have IV sedation for the procedure.

Pre-IV Assessment

When I went in for my pre-IV assessment I had been feeling so nervous that I went kind of blank to be honest. However, Dr G confidently led the assessment. He asked how much detail I would like to know about the procedure before going in and explained the process at a level I was comfortable with. He asked about my anxiety related to the upcoming procedure and about what had and hadn’t gone well from my perspective during past sedations. He gave detailed information about the monitoring that would be conducted during the sedation and how they would manage my level of sedation throughout the procedure. As a nurse I found this to be really reassuring and it gave me a lot of confidence going into the procedure.

The Sedation Appointment

Thanks to Dr G’s preparation, when I arrived on the day I wasn’t as nervous as I expected to be. The team were all so welcoming and I felt really reassured by all of the monitoring in place. I also really appreciated how they introduced everyone who would be in the room during the sedation and what their role would be. I never once felt I would be in a vulnerable position.

Once I was all prepared to start my sedation (tucked up in the dentist chair with a blankie!) the team made general conversation, which helped me relax and distract me from the sedation starting. I felt like I was asleep for most of the procedure, although I do have a memory of hearing them advise that the first tooth had been removed, to which I responded ‘ok’. Then what seemed like a minute later they told me I was all done! Although I was aware mid-procedure, it was never concerning to me, I felt very calm and relaxed throughout. Something about being tucked in with a blanket and surrounded by your kind and caring team meant the whole procedure went so well for me.

The next thing I knew, my husband was standing in the door to collect me. It felt like it all went by very quickly.

Coming Out Of The Sedation

I remember feeling a bit giggly and slightly unsteady on my feet immediately after I got up. My husband assisted me into the car, and although I was awake and talking I don’t remember much of the 20 minute drive home. When I got home I had a nap and woke up feeling refreshed, not groggy at all and most importantly not sick. I have had trouble with nausea and vomiting after sedation and anaesthetics in the past so it was great to not have that!

I truly feel that having such a positive experience throughout this procedure will make a huge difference for me moving forward with having less anxiety at regular appointments.

E. C.

If you are interested in learning more about dental sedation to help overcome your fear of the dentist or to enable several procedures to be completed within one appointment, please contact us.