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Nervous about an upcoming dental check-up? A guide to how our team at Navan Dental can help

When you have a phobia, it is your natural response to avoid it. If you are scared of dogs, you wouldn't visit the park. If you are nervous about heights, you wouldn't ride rollercoasters. However, if you have a phobia of going for a dental check-up, it is probably not a good idea to avoid it. After all, check-ups are vital for keeping your teeth and gums healthy and avoiding them can cause serious problems to your oral health. So, what can you do?

At Navan Dental, our dentist Navan has worked with many people who are nervous about dental check-ups and can help you to relax. When you visit our dental team with a dental phobia, you are in good hands and we will take the time to ensure that you are relaxed before we begin any treatment.

But why should you choose our dentist Navan if you have a dental phobia?

Intravenous sedation

One of the best ways to treat severe dental anxiety is with sedation.

Our dentist Navan is able to offer all of our patients intravenous (IV) sedation, allowing you to feel more at ease when you get into the dental chair. To ensure the best patient care, Navan dental organises sedation sessions, so you can receive all the attention you need from our caring and dedicated staff.

What is it?

An IV sedation is administered via a needle into the back of your hand, with a mini-drip to keep the medication at a consistent level. At Navan Dental, our sedation medication of choice is midazolam; a benzodiazepine medication renowned for reducing anxiety, causing sleepiness and suppressing the ability to form new memories while under the sedation effect of the medication. As you can see, this medication is ideal for use during dental procedures if you are nervous.

How does it help?

Midazolam is a strong sedative that encourages a feeling of relaxation while reducing anxiety levels. It is also a fast-acting sedative, so once injected into your hand, its effects should become apparent in under a minute. So, if it is the noise, smells and sounds of the dental surgery that makes you nervous, you will not be exposed to them for very long.

What to expect

When you come to Navan Dental for sedation dentistry, our team will make sure you feel relaxed before any treatment is started. Although you may feel as though you have fallen asleep due to the sedation, in actuality, you will remain semi-conscious and able to respond to the instructions of the dental team who are taking care of you. When your treatment is complete, you will feel a bit groggy and sleepy; this is normal.

Post-procedure

Post sedation, you will need an age-appropriate friend or family member to take you home. Do not operate heavy machinery, do not drink any alcohol and make sure you do not take any medications, unless otherwise specified. Just relax and feel proud of yourself!