Gentle and effective pain management options are not only for the faint of heart!
They are for anyone wanting an easier, more relaxed dental experience.
We recognise how we manage pain is very individual and this is why we offer a number of solutions for our patients that range in intensity from very mild anaesthetic to sleep dentistry.
- Anaesthetic
- Inhalation Sedation (laughing gas)
- Sleep dentistry
Pain Management Services
Timeless Smiles offers patients a variety of pain management methods that will help to relieve the stress and frustration associated with dental treatments. We understand that many people fear visiting the dentist due to the fear of extreme pain. However, our pain management services seek to make the process easier and more comfortable for all.
IV Sedation
Intravenous (IV) sedation is a highly effective way of ensuring your next dental treatment is a relaxing and comfortable experience. IV sedation (also known as twilight sedation or sleep dentistry) is when anaesthetic, sedative, and pain-relieving medication is safely administered into your body to create a pleasant dream-like state. Hence, for the entire duration of the procedure, you will stay relaxed, comfortable, and unaware of the treatment taking place.
Often, patients who have experienced IV sedation feel that the treatment was completed in minutes, even if it may have taken several hours. Hence, this pain management method may warp your sense of time but make the process easier for you to handle. There are minimal side effects associated with IV sedation, and it will allow you to make a quick recovery.
Laughing Gas
Laughing gas or nitrous oxide is a common sedative used widely in dentistry. At Timeless Smiles, we properly administer laughing gas as a sedative method to effectively control anxiety and ease pain during dental treatments. The laughing gas procedure requires wearing a mask and taking deep breaths of the gas – immediately, you will start to feel more at ease and start to relax. However, the calming effects will wear off once the mask is removed. Hence, this makes laughing gas a popular choice for pain management as it is simple, effective, and safe. After your treatment, you may feel some side effects from the laughing gas, including a headache, fatigue, and nausea. However, these are short-term and will wear off over time.
Local Anaesthesia
Local anaesthesia is perfect for simple dental procedures, such as filling cavities and low-level extractions. With local anaesthetic as your pain management method, you will be fully conscious and able to communicate effectively; however, your mouth will feel numb to ensure you don’t feel any pain.
Local anaesthetic takes effect quickly – usually within 10 minutes and lasts for around 30-60 minutes depending on how much was used.At Timeless Smiles, we safely utilise local anaesthetic and understand how to administer it for those who fear the dentist. For more information on local anaesthetic, talk to us today.
Common Distractions
There are many other ways to manage your pain that do not involve any chemicals or sedation methods. This includes common everyday distractions, such as listening to favourite music through a pair of headphones or binging a new TV show while you recover from dental treatment. Keeping yourself busy and not thinking about the pain will be transformational in your recovery process. If you’re someone who struggles with pain or doesn’t particularly enjoy visiting the dentist, utilise these common distractions to manage your pain successfully.
Ever wondered about the
alternatives to local anaesthetic?
You might be pleased to know you have more options than you think.
Patient sedation – provided by laughing gas (as it’s commonly called) – could be the best way for you to manage fears about receiving dental treatment.
Laughing gas is nitrous oxide. Administered as a gas it is very effective for calming and relaxing patients, particularly those with lower anxiety levels around dental treatment.
With limited risk to the patient from inhalation, gas is introduced through a comfortable mask placed over the nose. Rapidly effective in bringing you to a state of relaxation, it is then possible to administer local anaesthesia via injection to further reduce any pain associated with a particular treatment you are receiving.
Effects are quickly reversible, meaning most patients can walk out from their treatment without assistance.
Want to know more? Let us help you feel more comfortable about your upcoming dental treatment.
Could sleep dentistry
help you?
Let’s look at the reasons you’d consider this approach.
Dentists and dental practices wear some negative press, don’t they? With many people experience anxiety around the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells when they visit their dentist, it’s any wonder patients avoid necessary treatment.
We understand this association and offer sleep dentistry as a way to help our patients manage their dental fears.
Fear should not prevent you from receiving the best dental care available.
Our priority is to provide you with gentle care that instills confidence in your decision to be treated by us. If you experience any anxiety at all with dental treatment, Dr Nimesh offers an understanding approach that will ensure you are able to do what’s necessary to achieve the highest level of oral health.
Sleep dentistry is an ideal way to eliminate the concerns, anxiety, and discomfort that may be associated with your dental treatment. It is ideal for patients who:
- Have a fear of needles and a low pain threshold
- Feel uncomfortable with typical dental sights, sounds, smells, and tastes
- Have jaw issues or difficulty keeping their mouth open for extended periods
- Struggle with trauma from previous negative dental experiences
- Need to have multiple dental treatments simultaneously
- Have an intellectual disability or advanced ADHD
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing during dental treatment
Looking for ways to connect and learn more about your dental care? We are too!
Apart from visits to our practice, we love staying in touch with our patients to share our news and views.
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