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If you’re replacing badly damaged or missing teeth with All-on-4® dental implants, it’s natural to have concerns about the procedure. Your dentist will give you all the information you need and answer all of your questions to help put your mind at ease, including what type of sedation they offer.

While some dental clinics have limited choices, we offer a full range of sedation options for All-on-4® patients at Perth Dental Implant Centre. Whether you prefer to be fully conscious and pain-free, fully sedated, or you just need some help to relax during your procedure.

Read more about our sedation approaches or book a consultation with our experienced All-on-4® provider in Perth to discuss your options. We’ll assess your medical history and other risk factors to help you make a fully informed decision about what’s best for your needs.

 

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Local anaesthesia

For people who are comfortable having dental treatments, local anaesthetic is usually all that’s required to numb pain during the All-on-4® procedure. This is safely injected into the parts of the mouth being treated, about 10–15 minutes before the procedure begins. The anaesthesia numbs the mouth and blocks pain signals to the brain, but you may still feel some pressure.

Local anaesthesia doesn’t typically have side effects, but you should avoid consuming alcohol 24 hours before and after your treatment. As it can take a few hours for the anaesthetic to fully wear off, so you should also take care when eating, though it won’t affect your ability to drive or return to normal activities.

Local anaesthetic is the most affordable sedation option for most people, with or without health insurance, but some people may require a stronger form of sedation, especially if they feel anxious during dental treatments.

Here is a summary of pros and cons of All-on-4 surgery under local anaesthesia:

Pros

• Fully awake and aware during the procedure
• Minimal after-effects and recovery time
• Low cost compared to other sedation options
• Safest option for patients with certain medical conditions

Cons

• Patients may feel pressure, vibrations, or sounds, which may be distressing
• Anxiety isn’t managed, making it unsuitable for highly nervous patients

 

Oral sedation

If you have mild dental anxiety or think you could use some help to feel calm and relaxed during your treatment, our dentists may be able to provide oral sedation in the form of a tablet. This may make you feel groggy, but you’ll normally be conscious and able to respond to your dentist. Local anaesthesia will also be used to numb pain.

Oral sedatives can take up to an hour to come into effect, so your dentist will recommend taking the tablet an hour before your procedure. As the medication can affect motor skills, you shouldn’t drive yourself to or from the clinic.

Your dentist will review your medical history during your consultation, as you may not be suitable for oral sedation if you have some pre-existing medical conditions. Oral sedation is also not recommended if you have more severe dental fear.

Pros

• Simple to administer (pill taken 1 hour prior to surgery)
• Reduces anxiety and promotes a relaxed state
• Minimal equipment needed compared to IV sedation
• Low cost compared to IV or general anaesthesia

Cons

• Sedation level is unpredictable as it is based on metabolism
• Cannot adjust sedation once medication is taken
• Requires someone to accompany you to and from the clinic

 

Sleep dentistry (intravenous (IV) sedation)

If you have a higher level of dental anxiety or don’t feel comfortable about your procedure, intravenous (IV) sedation or sleep dentistry may be preferred. This can help you to feel calm and relaxed and will usually send you to sleep during the procedure, with no memory of the experience afterwards.

If you choose to have IV sedation, you should avoid driving or operating machinery for 24 hours afterwards, as it can take this long for the sedatives to leave your system. You may not be suitable if you have a respiratory condition such as asthma.

IV sedation is provided by a qualified GP anaesthetist at our clinics in East Vic Park, Kelmscott and Mount Lawley, who will closely monitor your condition at all times. Anaesthetist fees apply, but you may be able to claim a portion of this back through Medicare or private health funds.

Pros

• Allows precise control of sedation levels
• Patient is deeply relaxed and unaware of the procedure
• Quick onset and recovery compared to oral sedation
• Procedure takes place at the clinic and not in hospital
• No recollection of the procedure
• Suitable for highly anxious patients

Cons:

• Requires a trained anaesthetist and specialised equipment
• Costs more than local and oral sedation
• May cause mild nausea or grogginess post-procedure
• May not suitable for patients with certain medical conditions

 

General anaesthesia

For more complex implant procedures or severe dental anxiety, general anaesthesia may be the best option. This is a heavier form of sedation that involves a longer recovery time, up to 48 hours. You will be unconscious during your treatment and will only wake up after it’s been completed.

If you choose to have general anaesthesia, this will be administered by a qualified GP anaesthetist at Southbank Day Surgery in South Perth. Hospital and anaesthetist fees apply, but you may be able to claim some of this back through Medicare or your insurance.

If your health insurance includes hospital cover and dental extras, general anaesthesia may be more affordable than IV sedation. However, general anaesthesia has BMI restrictions that could make some patients unsuitable.

Pros

• Patient is completely unconscious, eliminating awareness and anxiety
• Ideal for complex or lengthy procedures
• Ensures absolute stillness during the surgery

Cons

• Requires the patient attend hospital/ day surgery
• Highest cost compared to other sedation methods
• Longest recovery period with potential side effects like nausea or sore throat
• Involves higher risks, especially for medically compromised patients
• May not be suitable for patients with certain medical conditions

 

To find out more about our dental sedation options and discuss your eligibility, risks and costs, contact our local clinics in East Victoria Park or Kelmscott today.

Call 1300 108 133

How to choose the right sedation option for me?

You and your dentist will sit down to discuss all the sedation options available and decide on the safest and most suitable option for your surgery. The right sedation option will depend on a range of factors:

• The complexity of your procedure (your surgeon can anticipate this)
• Your anxiety levels and medical history
• Budget constraints and insurance coverage
• Your surgeon’s recommendations and the facility’s resources

 

What to expect from All-on-4® treatment

At Perth Dental Implant Centre, we’ll make sure you know what to expect at every stage of your implant treatment. Our principal dentist, Dr David Norcross, is highly accredited in the industry and has completed advanced training in the All-on-4® procedure, helping hundreds of patients to restore their smiles.

Our All-on-4® process is usually completed within five days or less and involves five stages:

Stage 1: Consultation and treatment planning

A detailed discussion about your needs and concerns, including the type of sedation you prefer. Our dentist will perform a comprehensive assessment of your mouth and jaw to determine your suitability for All-on-4® treatment and can then start developing your individual treatment plan.

Stage 2: Placing your dental implants

All-on-4® implants are placed in a single appointment under your choice of sedation. If other procedures such as bone grafting are needed, this can often be performed at the same time. Abutments will be attached to the implants and impressions taken for our dental technician to design your new implant bridge.

Stage 3: Try-in and adjustments

Between one and three days after surgery, a wax-up model of your replacement teeth will be ready to try. Our dentist will check how they fit and note any adjustments needed, so our technician can complete your final prosthetics.

Stage 4: Fitting your new teeth

Within five days of surgery, your All-on-4® bridge will be attached to the abutments. We check your bite and advise you about how to get used to your new teeth and how to care for them during your healing period.

Stage 5: Follow-up care and maintenance

We’ll schedule regular check-ups at our clinic so our dentist can check that your new teeth are doing well and to address any problems. We strongly recommend All-on-4 patients maintain their general check-up and professional clean every six months for optimal implant health.

Find out more about All-on-4® and sleep dentistry in Perth

For more information about sleep dentistry options for All-on-4® at our Perth clinics, call our friendly team on 1300 108 133. You can also contact Dr Norcross with any questions.

Call 1300 108 133