Category: Sedation Dentistry

If you have sleepless nights worrying about visiting the dentist before any treatment, then we feel that sedation dentistry in Edinburgh could be for you.  Caring and compassionate, our team at Craigentinny Dental Care offer a whole range of options to help you through your fear. 

We offer ways to help that are specific to the needs of each patient, to reflect the individual and the unique dental treatments that are required and one of these options could be sedation dentistry in Edinburgh.

What exactly is a fear of the dentist?

If you are nervous about visiting the dentist you are not alone, research has found that there are over 60% of people who do not visit the dentist regularly due to a range of fears, from mild dislike to extreme panic.

Telltale signs of dental phobia can range from sweating to real distress, and signs of panic. Some patients may even miss their appointments, which in turn will make things worse as this could lead to needing more treatments in the long term.

The fear of the dentist could be due to a traumatic dental experience in the past, fear of loss of control or possible conditions such as agoraphobia or claustrophobia.

What can be done about fear of the dentist?

We offer a whole host of solutions to ease you through any trauma you may feel about coming to see us.  Initially, we will offer a consultation so that we can find out from you exactly what it is that is bothering you about any treatments.  Through discussing your fears with our experienced dental professionals, this will be the start of us working together to find the best options for you that are specifically tailored to relieve any worries that you may have.

Sedation dentistry in Edinburgh uses medication to help patients relax during dental treatments and procedures. It comes in various forms such as minimal sedation, where the patient is awake but relaxed, right through to general anaesthetic, where the patient is fully unconscious.

Our team use sedation dentistry as just one of our tools for helping those fearful of the dentist, to ensure that we provide a well-rounded service to tackle fears and anxieties specific to each patient.

Dental health warnings about dentist phobias

We know how important it is for patients to visit our practice regularly, if they do not come in for check-ups or to see our hygienist there is a much higher risk of disease and other problems down the road. 

If a patient does not have a regular dental health regime, any treatment down the road will be a lot more intense. So it makes sense to deal with dental phobias head-on together with our dental team, to produce a plan to help the patient through this issue.

Happy patient and healthy teeth

Nobody wants to go through life not having healthy teeth and fresh breath because they are too scared to visit the dentist.  So don’t suffer in silence, just give us a call.

Here at Craigentinny Dental Care for the past 25 years we’ve been a staple in the local Edinburgh community by providing a bespoke, patient-centred dental experience like no other. We believe that each patient is unique, and as such, each treatment ought to be as unique as those seeking it, rather than adopting the one-size-fits-all approach that is favoured by far too many other practices across the city. Treatment here at Craigentinny Dental Care is only carried out by a dentist of the patient’s choosing whom they trust wholeheartedly and with whom they share a good rapport. Treatment only begins after lengthy informal, friendly consultations have taken place.

Clean as a whistle

One procedure which is widely popular here at Craigentinny Dental Care is the range of dental hygienist treatments we offer. These are a range of treatments which are used to eradicate superficial cosmetic damage or stains to teeth caused by smoking, drinking red wine, coffee or just general neglect. We understand at Craigentinny that having a healthy and clean smile is essential to living the fullest and happiest life you can – and that the revere is often true. Patients with teeth which are stained or discoloured can often find their social lives largely impacted and be left with a damaged sense of self-esteem and confidence.  Through our scale and polish service, patients can walk out of our practice with a squeaky-clean feeling smile and a renewed confidence. Our friendly and approachable team of dental hygienists are also available for general consultations with patients about numerous home remedies and ways they can maintain a healthy smile and good dental hygiene.

Six month smiles

Another service which is widely popular here at Craigentinny Dental Care is the installation of discreet dental aligners, which are generally favoured by teenagers and young adults over conventional orthodontic methods such as fused metal ‘train-track’ braces. Treatments such as our ‘Six Month Smiles’ process offer discreet and often removable alternative methods of dental realignment which, when worn, are practically invisible. One of the reasons for the success of these methods of discreet orthodontic aligners being favoured over conventional methods is that they are non-invasive and do not affect the user’s outward appearance and as such allows them to undertake essential dental realignment without attracting any unwanted attention from peers or colleagues.

Chemical aid

At Craigentinny Dental Care, we understand that a trip to the dentist can bring about a large amount of stress and discomfort for many. As such we aim to make the entire process as stress free and calming as possible. However, in instances where patients suffer from higher degrees of dental anxiety we offer sedation dentistry in Edinburgh. This is an intravenous form of sedative which is administered to the patient prior to beginning treatment to calm them and allow the process to be carried out smoothly. Before undertaking sedation dentistry in Edinburgh, patients must fill out a short medical history form to ensure the process is risk free, as well as discuss the process with a dental practitioner of their choosing. Dental sedation can be massively beneficial to patients who suffer crippling dental anxiety, but still require treatment to maintain a healthy and hearty smile.

At Craigentinny Dental Care in Edinburgh, we are proud to say that we have been providing the Edinburgh community with over 25 years of care and service. It is our belief that the individual needs and requirements of each patient should be at the forefront of all dental care, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, and we are proud to boast that we are founded on a bedrock of solid relationships with the local community based on trust, understanding and respect. Treatment at Craigentinny Dental Care only begins after lengthy consultations using a practitioner with whom patients feel fully comfortable, confident and share a good rapport.

Clean and healthy

Dental hygienist treatments are particularly popular here at Craigentinny Dental Care. These are cosmetic dental procedures which have been specifically designed to target visible, superficial signs of age or staining on teeth – caused by either smoking, drinking coffee, tea or red wine, or general neglect. At Craigentinny Dental Care, we understand that a healthy smile is essential to a healthy mind, and that with poor dental hygiene, you can often be left with a severely detrimental feeling of self- confidence or worth. That is why we have a team of three highly renowned dental hygienists currently in practice – each chosen for their unique sets of skills and expertise in all things relating to dental hygiene. The process of a scale and polish is one dental hygiene treatment which is offered here at Craigentinny Dental Care, in which a patient’s teeth are power-blasted clean using specialised equipment which leaves them with an instantly brighter and cleaner feeling mouth. The effects of such a treatment are not only successful in their instantly visible effect on a patient’s smile, but also in their effectiveness on halting any further detrimental damage or deterioration of teeth and surrounding gums as a result. Our highly skilled hygienists also offer a wide array of tips and advice on how patients can achieve and maintain a high standard of oral hygiene, without numerous expensive trips to the dentist.

Sedation dentistry in Edinburgh

For patients who may suffer from anxiety or any other chronic fear that may be impeding their overall dental wellbeing, we offer intravenous sedation dentistry in Edinburgh at Craigentinny Dental Care which may help them tackle their problems at the root. The process of undertaking intravenous sedation dentistry in Edinburgh initially consists of patients filling out a short dental history form and answering a few basic medical questions – before they are administered with a mild sedative intravenously, which helps to calm them, so that the appropriate dental work can commence smoothly.

Unseen wonders

Another treatment on offer here at Craigentinny Dental Care is the implementation of discreet dental and orthodontic alignment treatments such as our ‘Six Month Smiles’ procedures. We understand that many young adults and teenagers are deterred from undertaking essential orthodontic alignment surgeries – such as typical, fused ‘train-track’ braces as they are clearly visible when worn, and can damage a patient’s social well being as a result. Treatment offered here combats this by offering a dental alignment process that utilises see-through plastic aligners which are far less visible from the outside. Treatment of this nature can have a massively beneficial impact on the self-esteem and confidence of patients.

For some people, going to the dentist can be an anxious time and they may even put off dental treatment. It is not uncommon to be nervous about visiting the dentist, especially if you happen to be visiting for dental implants.

At Craigentinny, we appreciate that some patients are afraid of the idea of oral surgery – especially when it involves dental implants – and for this reason we offer sedation dentistry in Edinburgh.

Overall, dental implants are less painful than other oral treatment and the operation itself involves minimal discomfort. In many cases, pulling a tooth or root canal treatment, can be substantially more painful than receiving dental implants with the help of sedation dentistry in Edinburgh.

Your sedation options

The placement of dental implants is a relatively comfortable procedure under local anaesthetic but very rarely some bruising, swelling or mild discomfort can be expected over the following days. These side-effects can be alleviated with standard pain medication.

Patients who get nervous about dental implants, can benefit from oral or IV sedation. Both methods are extremely safe. With oral sedation you will take a pill just before the operation (or a few hours in advance). Patients who decide to have oral sedation will remain awake during the operation. Oral sedation makes long and complex procedures seem shorter, allowing patients have all their dental work done in a single visit. As an added precaution, a local anaesthetic will also be administered by the dentist, in order to ensure that there is no pain or discomfort.

IV sedation, on the other hand, involves administering the sedative straight into the blood stream. This way patients relax almost immediately and experience no pain or discomfort during the implant surgery. As IV sedation is much stronger than oral sedation, it should always be administered by a trained dentist, who will also be checking the vitals of the patient throughout the procedure. Patients who have undergone IV sedation should remain in the company of a responsible adult for 12 hours following the procedure.

Want to have dental implants but you are worried about pain and discomfort? To learn more about sedation dentistry in Edinburgh, contact us today and we will guide you through the procedure step-by-step.

If you can’t remember when the last time you visited the dentist was, your oral health may be at risk. No matter how careful you are with your daily oral hygiene routine, plaque can hide between hard-to-reach places in your mouth and if not removed properly, it will cause gum disease and tooth decay.

Regular dental visits are a vital part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you are skipping your dental appointment because you are afraid of the dentist, there is no need – at Craigentinny you can have the treatment you deserve with the assistance of sedation dentistry in Edinburgh.

Common reasons behind dental phobia

Dental phobia is natural and as long as it hasn’t reached the stage where medical help is required, it can be easily conquered. What makes some of us more afraid of dental visits than others are fear of pain, loss of control, and past experiences gone sour.

People who are afraid of the dentist are more likely to have many dental problems, which can lead to serious oral health issues. Fear and avoidance of the dentist are also triggered by pain. Luckily, sedation dentistry in Edinburgh can help.

What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry employs medication to help patients relax and remain calm during various dental procedures. Also known as ‘sleep dentistry’, sedation dentistry is safe, effective and painless. Patients will feel comfortable in the dentist’s chair and will even be able to communicate with the dentist throughout the treatment.

At Craigentinny, we offer different types of sedation dentistry in Edinburgh to our patients. Depending on the dose provided by our dentists, sedation can be minimal or moderate. Sedative medications can either be taken through the mouth (oral sedation) or through a vein (IV sedation). IV sedation, in particular, allows our dentists to adjust the intensity of the sedation throughout the procedure.

Regardless of the type of sedation you receive, we also provide local anaesthetic at the site of the mouth where the dentist will work.

Want to learn more about sedation dentistry in Edinburgh? Contact us today and we will book an appointment for you.

If you feel anxiety at the thought of visiting the dentist, you are certainly not alone. Many people feel some degree of trepidation. At Craigentinny, we know that some people end up not taking care of their teeth when they should because of the fear that they feel about treatment. This can often lead to poor oral hygiene. Fortunately, we also know that there are options that can help, like sedation dentistry in Edinburgh.

We offer a free, 20-minute chat to patients who want to consider options like sedation dentistry in Edinburgh. This can be combined with a consultation but, for some people, it’s easier to just come and have the chat. That way, you know that during this visit, you definitely won’t have any difficult experiences. We can talk to you about what will work for you. Everyone’s experience of anxiety is different and may involve various triggers. You don’t have to know what causes you to feel the way you do in order to get help. We offer general support that will help you in any case.

Our e-course

To start your journey with us, you don’t even need to visit the clinic. You can sign up for our free 7-day e-course online via our website. This provides you with insights and tips that are designed to make you feel better about making your first appointment.

Sedation dentistry in Edinburgh

Most people feel better about the dentist when they know they are going to be comfortable and calm. Sedation dentistry can take a few different forms and we will tailor a plan to fit your needs. It doesn’t necessarily mean you will be completely unconscious during a procedure, you may just feel more relaxed.

We ask you questions during your first visit to check whether sedation dentistry is appropriate for you and to help us decide what recommendations to make.

Here to help

The important thing to remember is that the team at Craigentinny are here to help. You will not be judged for either your level of anxiety or the amount of time it has been since you visited a dentist. We are just happy to see you and to be able to provide support.