Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide, or “laughing gas” is long-standing and effective relaxing treatment for patients experiencing milder forms
of anxiety. Under this treatment, Nitrous Oxide is inhaled nasally through a comfortable and non-intrusive nose piece during
the dental procedure. There are no discernable side-effects from this treatment, apart from an enhanced sense of relaxation.
You are awake and able to fully converse with your dentist during this treatment. It is a short-acting relaxant and you are free
to drive from the clinic following this treatment.
The following two sedative treatment options are more suited to those patients with more developed dental anxieties,
or for those requiring a significant amount of dental work in a single, long session, but are apprehensive about the amount
of treatment involved.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation
Under this form of treatment, a sedation medication is administered into your arm or hand, providing an immediate and deep relaxation. The dosage administered during treatment can be varied to meet individual anxiety levels of patients.
It is sometimes referred to as “Twilight or Sleep Sedation”, as although you are not fully unconscious you remain largely unaware
of what is occurring around you and in most instances, will have little or no recollection, of your dental treatment.
IV Sedation is administered by your treating dentist who has completed additional post-graduate studies and training to gain qualifications in sedation practice.
A short fasting period is required prior to this treatment and patients cannot drive away from their appointment. You will need to be picked up by a responsible adult by private vehicle or taxi.
Generally most patients will feel a little light-headed for only a few hours after treatment, but you are advised not to return to
work that day.
Patients undergoing IV Sedation are required to complete a medical check-list immediately prior to the appointment.
General Anaesthesia
Queen Street Dental is the only general dental practice in the Brisbane CBD to incorporate a purpose-built dental theatre for patients electing to be treated under General Anaesthesia. Under this form of treatment a general anaesthetic is administered by a specialist medical anaesthetist, who is supported by a qualified theatre nurse.
This form of treatment, along with IV Sedation, are often used in instances where a significant amount of dental work is needed.
As the practice’s consulting anaesthetists are scheduled to work at our clinic only six times a month, booking lead times for this procedure are longer than for general dental and IV Sedation appointments. So we advise you to contact our reception staff as
early as possible if you a looking to plan an appointment for General Anaesthesia.
