It can feel like a heart stopping moment; you go to collect the mail only to find a dental check-up reminder amongst the letters.

While this can cause a minor irritation for many dental patients, if you are either nervous or phobic of the dentist, this can knock you off your feet. You know that dental hygiene is important and of course, you want to be a good dental patient and attend check-ups regularly, but the idea sends you into a cold sweat.

But, nervous dental patients of the world, you’re in luck! Many dental surgeries are now much better equipped to deal with phobic patients and the days of the judgemental dentist are long gone.

When you visit Dr. David Magruga, we will endeavour to make you feel as comfortable as possible. All of our nervous patients in Marylebone are treated with dignity, respect and kindness, to ensure that you have a more pleasant appointment with our team.We take dental fears and phobias very seriously, and will allow you to set the pace of the appointment.

But, how do we ensure that our nervous patients in Marylebone don’t become overwhelmed? Read on to find out.

What is conscious sedation?

One of the techniques we use for our nervous patients in Marylebone is called conscious sedation.

Different to being put under anaesthetic, you will remain conscious but, under the effects of the sedative, you will feel more relaxed and will not be able to feel any discomfort. Typically, there are three kinds of sedation used in dentistry.

The first is inhaled and is known as laughing gas (nitrous oxide). The second is an oral tablet, such as temazepam and the third is administered via an intravenous drip.

How will I feel?

As briefly stated earlier, any sedative we provide you with will make you feel sleepy and relaxed.

During the dental procedure, you will be able to respond to the instructions of the dental team, but once the procedure is complete and the sedatives begin to wear off, you will often have no recollection of what you have been through.

Of course, in a similar vein, under the effects of any sedative, discomfort from certain procedures (such as extraction) are dulled, and so, if you have undertaken an extraction or any other oral surgery, it is likely that you may feel some soreness in your mouth once you get home.

What happens afterwards?

When you come to us for sedation dentistry, we will always advise that you bring along an age-appropriate, responsible friend or family member.

This is for two reasons; the first is to ensure that you make it home safely and don’t have to operate a car.  Secondly, it is to make sure that you have someone looking after you and in the unlikely event that you become ill, you have someone with you who can seek appropriate medical attention.

We also advise against operating heavy machinery, like a car, for up to forty-eight hours after intravenous sedation for safety reasons.