Dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex or concern about undergoing treatment can make endodontic procedures more challenging for some patients.
At JCV Endodontics in Leederville, sedation may be considered alongside root canal treatment and other endodontic procedures where clinically appropriate.
We offer inhalation sedation using nitrous oxide and intravenous sedation. Sedation suitability is assessed individually, taking into account your health, treatment requirements and the level of sedation being considered.
Where sedation is provided at JCV Endodontics, it is administered by a specialist anaesthetist, allowing the endodontist to concentrate on the dental procedure while the anaesthetist manages and monitors the sedation.
Sedation and local anaesthesia perform different roles.
Local anaesthetic is used to numb the area being treated. Sedation may additionally help patients manage anxiety, awareness and tolerance of the procedure.
Sedation may be considered for patients who experience:
Sedation is not necessary or appropriate for every patient. The decision depends on your health, treatment requirements and individual circumstances.
Nitrous oxide and oxygen can be administered through a small mask placed over the nose during treatment.
Sometimes informally called “laughing gas”, nitrous oxide is used to produce a minimal level of sedation and may help reduce anxiety while allowing the patient to remain responsive.
The effect generally begins relatively quickly and reduces after administration stops.
Nitrous oxide as a sole sedation agent is treated differently from deeper levels of procedural sedation in Australian sedation guidance because of its relatively rapid recovery characteristics.
Experiences vary between patients.
Some people describe feeling more relaxed, light or less concerned about what is happening around them. You remain conscious and able to communicate with the clinical team.
The response cannot be predicted precisely for an individual patient.
Recovery following nitrous oxide alone can be relatively rapid, but your ability to drive should not be assumed from general website information.
Your clinical team will provide discharge and transport instructions appropriate to the sedation, dental treatment and your individual response.
Follow those instructions before driving or returning to normal activities.
Intravenous sedation involves administering sedative medication through a vein.
It can be considered for some patients who experience significant dental anxiety, a severe gag reflex or difficulty tolerating dental treatment.
The medication can reduce awareness and anxiety during the procedure. Depending on the medications used and the individual patient’s response, memory of parts of the procedure may also be reduced.
However, IV sedation does not guarantee that you will be completely unaware of the procedure or have no memory of it.
Sedation exists on a continuum from minimal through moderate and deep sedation. A patient can occasionally become more deeply sedated than originally intended, which is one reason appropriate assessment, monitoring, staffing and clinical expertise are important.
Not necessarily.
Intravenous procedural sedation is different from general anaesthesia.
Depending on the intended level of sedation and your individual response, you may feel very relaxed or drowsy and have reduced awareness of the procedure while still being able to respond appropriately.
Your level of awareness and the amount you remember afterwards can vary.
The objective is not to promise unconsciousness or an absence of sensation, but to provide an appropriate level of sedation for the patient and procedure.
Sedation does not replace the local anaesthetic normally used for root canal treatment.
Local anaesthesia is used to reduce sensation from the tooth and surrounding tissues during treatment.
Sedation serves a different purpose by modifying anxiety, awareness and tolerance of the procedure.
Your endodontist and anaesthetist will determine the appropriate combination for your individual treatment.
Sedation requires appropriate assessment before treatment.
Your anaesthetist may need information about your:
Certain medical conditions can increase sedation-related risks and may influence whether sedation is appropriate or where it should be provided. ANZCA guidance specifically identifies patient health, airway considerations and other medical factors as relevant to sedation planning.
Always provide complete and accurate medical information to your treating clinicians.
You will receive individual instructions before your appointment.
These may include requirements concerning:
Do not rely on general internet instructions about fasting or medication changes. Follow the instructions provided specifically by your anaesthetist and JCV Endodontics.
Recovery is monitored following sedation and discharge occurs when the practitioner responsible for the sedation considers the appropriate criteria have been met.
Australian procedural sedation guidance provides for patients undergoing relevant levels of sedation to be discharged into the care of a responsible adult and to receive instructions regarding activities including driving, operating machinery and making important decisions.
Do not plan to drive yourself home after intravenous sedation.
Follow the individual post-sedation instructions provided by your anaesthetist.
All forms of sedation involve considerations and potential risks.
The type and likelihood of adverse effects depend on factors including the medications used, depth of sedation, procedure and the patient’s individual health.
Sedation can occasionally become deeper than intended and may affect breathing, airway function or cardiovascular function. Appropriate assessment, monitoring and preparedness to manage complications therefore form important parts of procedural sedation.
Your anaesthetist will discuss the relevant benefits, alternatives and risks with you as part of the consent process.
Information on this website cannot replace that individual assessment.
Dental anxiety varies considerably between patients.
Some patients can comfortably undergo root canal treatment using local anaesthesia alone. Others may benefit from additional strategies, which can include communication, staged treatment or sedation where appropriate.
Having dental anxiety does not automatically mean that IV sedation is required.
JCV Endodontics will consider your concerns, medical history and proposed endodontic treatment when discussing available options.
Sedation can form part of the treatment plan for selected patients where clinically appropriate.
Sedation may be available for root canal treatment depending on your health, treatment requirements and individual circumstances. Suitability requires clinical assessment.
No. Procedural IV sedation is distinct from general anaesthesia. The depth of sedation and your awareness can vary during treatment.
Some sedative medications can reduce memory of a procedure, but the degree of amnesia varies. It should not be represented as guaranteed.
Sedation may be considered where a pronounced gag reflex makes dental treatment difficult. Whether it is appropriate depends on individual assessment.
Do not drive yourself home following intravenous sedation. Follow the transport, supervision and activity restrictions given by your anaesthetist and the Australian procedural sedation guidance provides for appropriate discharge arrangements and individual instructions after sedation.
Sedation at JCV Endodontics is administered by a specialist anaesthetist
Information about sedation on this page is general information only. It does not determine whether sedation is appropriate for you and does not replace assessment, informed consent or individual advice from your treating practitioner.
If you would like to learn the answers to our frequently asked questions, visit the FAQ page.