Sleep Dentistry – How Does it Work?
Overcoming Dental Phobias with Sleep Dentistry
If you’ve ever had a traumatic experience at the dentist’s office, either as a child or an adult, you might have developed a phobia towards dental treatments. However, with advancements in medicine, sleep dentistry is now available to patients worldwide, including right here at Dental Art St Kilda.
Sleep dentistry, also known as minimal discomfort dentistry or twilight dentistry, allows you to undergo treatment under sedation, keeping you calm and relaxed throughout the procedure. If the mere thought of sitting in a dentist’s chair makes you uneasy or paranoid, this form of dentistry could be the perfect solution for you. Some people resort to painkillers to deal with excruciating toothaches rather than visiting the dentist’s clinic. If this sounds like you, there’s no need to be afraid anymore. From pain-killing drugs to sedative medicines, there are various options to choose from. You only need to work with your doctor to establish an appropriate treatment plan for your dental problem.
Problems Addressed through Sleep Dentistry
While it is less common, some patients experience discomfort during traditional dental procedures. Patients may recall not feeling numb enough during the procedure or complain of discomfort from holding their mouth open for an extended period. Additionally, when dental tools are inserted far back in the mouth, it can trigger a gag reflex, contributing to anxiety.
Time is another constraint when visiting the dentist. Some procedures are time-consuming and complex but can be performed easily with sleep dentistry. Other issues that frighten patients include the loud sound of drilling tools, injections, and the vibrations felt during the procedure. Twilight dentistry addresses these common concerns and works effectively.
How is Sleep Dentistry Performed?
Sleep dentistry involves the administration of sedatives and painkillers, allowing patients to sleep through the procedure. The level of sedation can range from mild (oral medication) to very high (general anesthesia). If you choose general anesthesia, you will not be conscious during the procedure and will regain consciousness only after the anesthesia wears off. This form of sleep dentistry is recommended for more complicated procedures like jaw bone surgery or dental implantation.
Moderated IV sedation is another form of sleep dentistry that allows the dentist to control the amount of sedation you receive. With this method, the sedative drugs are administered intravenously.
Precautions
Not all dentists are qualified to administer IV sedatives to patients. Incorrect administration of these drugs could lead to airway obstruction or overdose. Ensure that your dental provider has a trained anesthetist to administer the sedatives. If not, request that a registered nurse with a background in intensive care be present during the procedure.
We will perform a thorough medical, airway and venous evaluation before we suggest sleep dentistry as an option for you. Enquire online about sleep dentistry or Call us on (03) 9527 2273 to schedule an appointment.
