Sedation for Patients

For children who are nervous about a procedure Shackleton Clinic can offer ‘sedation dentistry’ to reduce stress and discomfort. Inhalation Sedation or ‘happy air’, is an effective way of making children feel calm and relaxed during dental treatments. 

Sedation is also available for adults here at Shackleton Sedation dentistry where patients receive an anti-anxiety drug through an IV to make their dental procedure as calm and relaxing as possible.

How Does Inhalation Sedation Work?

Before we begin the dental procedure we place a small cover over the patient’s nose and they breathe in and out to inhale nitrous oxide- a gas used for sedation and pain relief. This creates a pleasant, relaxed floating feeling- much like day dreaming. Most children become less aware of their surroundings making the dental treatment easy and comfortable for them. The sedation lifts once the nose cover is removed. 

If your child is having a filling or a tooth removed and breathing the ‘happy air’ we will still need to use the normal injection anaesthetic as we do with all treatments. But the whole experience is much more relaxing and children are far more comfortable during procedure.

How Does IV Sedation Work?

Sedation dentistry is when patients receive an anti-anxiety drug through an IV before their treatment to make sure they are fully calm and relaxed before their dental procedure  begins.

Patients remain conscious during IV sedation but are in a very deep state of relaxation. You are awake and will be able to understand and respond to requests. However, patients don’t remember much (or anything at all) so afterwards it may feel as if they were asleep during the procedure.Dr Daisy McCarthy is the sedation specialist here at Shackleton Clinic and will guide patients through the experience to make their dental treatment as comfortable as possible.