Sedation

with
Dr Sophie Gordon

Originally from Llanrug, Gwynedd, Sophie graduated with a degree in Dentistry from the University of Sheffield in 2012. She began her career in London, completing her foundation training at a busy city-centre practice in South East London.

In 2014, Sophie returned to North Wales and undertook further training within the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery departments at Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. During this time, she gained extensive experience in oral surgery, complex extractions, and the emergency management of dental and facial trauma.

Sophie then spent four years working in the North Wales Community Dental Service, treating special care patients, children, vulnerable adults, and patients with dental phobia, often using conscious sedation. She also provided emergency dental care during evening shifts, attending to patients in pain or experiencing trauma.

In 2018, she moved back to London, working in both the Special Care Dental Service and private practices. In 2020, Sophie completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Conscious Sedation in Dentistry, further cementing her commitment to caring for nervous patients. Her calm and compassionate approach is consistently well received.

Returning once again to Gwynedd in 2021, Sophie is now proud to offer her wide-ranging skills within our practice. She has also completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Restorative Dentistry from Manchester and has a keen interest in aesthetic dentistry. In addition, Sophie brings over 10 years of experience in providing facial aesthetic treatments.

Outside of work, Sophie enjoys running, spending time outdoors, and travelling.

About dental sedation

Dental sedation involves giving you medicine to help you relax and prevent pain during dental treatment. It may be recommended to you if you experience dental phobia.

It doesn’t put you to sleep like a general anaesthetic; you’re still conscious and able to talk with your dentist. Instead, it puts you into a deeply relaxed state, where you won’t feel any discomfort or pain.

Different dental sedation techniques are available, including inhalation sedation (wearing a face mask to inhale a gas sedative) and IV sedation (a sedative drug that’s injected into your arm or hand).

If you have dental anxiety or a phobia of dentists and it’s preventing you from getting treatment, whether that’s replacing a missing tooth, a hygienist clean, or having an extraction, dental sedation may help.

Dental sedation may also be suitable if you have a strong gag reflex, require complex treatment, or have a low pain threshold and a topical local anaesthetic isn’t enough.

Both children and adults can have dental sedation. Inhalation sedation is usually used to treat children; IV sedation is only suitable in some cases. Some patients may not be eligible for sedation.

What are the different types of dental sedation?

Inhalation sedation

Inhalation sedation involves breathing in a mixed gas of oxygen and nitrous oxide through a face mask. You’ll feel relaxed and drowsy, but you won’t be put to sleep. This offers a milder level of sedation.

Things to consider about inhalation sedation:

Very few side effects
If you’re needle-phobic, inhalation sedation may be more suitable for you
After treatment, you’ll be given pure oxygen to wear away the nitrous oxide. This means recovery is very quick (between five to ten minutes)
Suitable for the majority of patients, including children
Driving is usually possible after treatment. Your clinician will be able to advise you
In few cases, side effects could include nausea and drowsiness

IV sedation

IV (intravenous) sedation is sometimes called ‘sleep dentistry.’ You won’t be put to sleep, but you’ll have reduced awareness and feel relaxed and sleepy, making treatment more comfortable. The procedure involves injecting a sedative drug via a plastic tube, into a vein in your hand or arm.

Things to consider about IV sedation:

You’ll experience minimal to no pain
Significantly reduces anxiety
The effects can last longer, so multiple treatments can be performed in one appointment
You won’t remember the treatment when waking up
You’ll be unable to drive temporarily
In some cases, side effects could include headaches and nausea

How long does dental sedation last?

The effects of IV dental sedation can last up to 12 hours, while recovery from inhalation sedation usually takes around 30 minutes.

Can you eat before dental sedation?

You shouldn’t eat or drink for six hours before IV sedation, although you can drink water up to two hours before. You must avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your treatment. If you have inhalation sedation, it’s recommended to have a light meal and drink up to two hours before.

What’s next?

If you’re interested in dental treatment assisted by sedation, contact us today! We’ll be able to answer any questions and help you book a treatment consultation, whether it’s for an extraction, root canal, dental implants, or something else. In the treatment consultation, our specialist can discuss and recommend suitable sedation options for you.