A tablet beforehand
Taken only as instructed by the clinical team. Effects and awareness vary. Follow the team's instructions about an escort and recovery.
Who
Dr. Sepehr Zahedi.
A certified dental anesthesiologist — one of ten recognised dental specialties in Canada, and the newest. It is a separate qualification after dental school, and sedation is the whole of his practice.
For appointments with Dr. Zahedi, he manages sedation and monitoring while the treating dentist carries out the dental procedure. He also speaks Farsi.
Two ways to do this.
IV sedation
For longer or more involved treatment, or when oral sedation has not been enough before. The level is adjusted to the agreed plan and monitored throughout.
Which one is right is a conversation, not a phone decision. It depends on your health history, your medication and the work being done.
Not only for fear
Reasons people ask for it.
- You have been putting off the dentist for years and the longer it goes the harder it gets.
- You gag easily and it makes ordinary treatment miserable.
- You have trouble getting properly numb.
- You need a lot of work and would rather do it in fewer, longer appointments.
- A past appointment went badly and you have not been back since.
Questions.
Who gives the sedation?
Dr. Sepehr Zahedi, a certified dental anesthesiologist registered with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals. Sedation is all he does. He administers it and monitors you throughout, so the dentist treating you is not splitting attention between two jobs.
What kinds of sedation do you offer?
Oral sedation, which is a tablet before the appointment, and intravenous sedation for longer or more involved treatment. Which one suits you is decided at a consultation, not on the phone.
Will I be unconscious?
The level of awareness depends on the sedation plan. Your clinician will explain what is proposed, including monitoring, risks and recovery. Recall of the appointment varies.
Can I drive home?
No. You need a responsible adult to take you home and stay with you for the rest of the day.
How should I prepare, and what happens afterwards?
Tell the team about your health conditions, medicines and supplements. Follow the written instructions about food, drink and medication; do not change medicines on your own. Arrange your escort before the appointment. Follow the recovery instructions about driving, work and important decisions, and contact the practice if anything is unclear.
I am not scared, I just gag or cannot get numb. Does this still apply?
Those are reasons to discuss sedation. Suitability depends on an individual assessment; sedation does not replace local anaesthetic.