Almost half the population suffers from a dental phobia that can range from mild anxiety to a full-blown panic attack. Sleep dentistry is an effective method of enabling these individuals to receive the dental care they need without the debilitating effects of dental phobia.
What’s Meant By Sleep Dentistry?
The term sleep dentistry may be somewhat misleading because the patient may not be asleep. Rather, through the use of pain relievers and sedatives, the patient becomes very relaxed so that they’re able to receive the dental treatment they need without anxiety or fear. Usually, the patient remains awake, but they’re very relaxed.
What Are The Benefits Of Sleep Dentistry?
- Patients who receive sleep dentistry are relaxed and calm and don’t experience anxiety or fear about their procedure.
- Sleep dentistry enables the dentist to control or eliminate the gag reflex.
- Patients don’t become restless during an extended procedure.
- Patients are less combative and resistant during sleep dentistry.
- Patients remain responsive and able to answer questions during the procedure.
What Types Of Sleep Dentistry Are There?
We provide several options of sleep dentistry for our patients, depending on the procedure they’re having and their degree of discomfort. Our options include:
Oral Sedation:
An oral sedative can be administered about 30 minutes before the procedure or even the night before the procedure. For the maximum comfort, we sometimes administer an oral sedative in conjunction with a local anesthetic. This completely relaxes the patient, so we recommend that you arrange for transportation home after your treatment if you’re having this type of oral Sedation.
Nitrous Oxide
Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide can be given at our office and will make you extremely relaxed. You’ll still be conscious and aware of your surroundings, but you’ll not feel any pain or anxiety.
IV Sedation
Intravenous sedation, or IV sedation, is administered in conjunction with a local anesthetic and alleviates pain and anxiety. You’ll probably fall asleep, and many patients have no memory of the procedure when they’ve received IV sedation.
General Anesthesia
Sometimes, patients want to sleep through the entire procedure and not awaken until it’s complete. Our dentists offer general anesthesia for patients who want it. If you opt for general anesthesia, then you need to arrange for transportation home after your procedure.
Why Would I Want Sleep Dentistry?
There are many reasons why patients choose to have sleep dentistry, such as:
- Fear of pain
- Moderate to severe anxiety about the procedure or the dental chair
- Severe gag reflex
- Phobia about needles
- A very complex procedure or an extensive amount of dental work needed
Whatever the reason, many of our patients opt to have sedation dentistry for their procedure. There’s no shame or stigma attached to it. It’s simply one of the best methods for ensuring the uncomplicated success of a procedure. It alleviates pressure on both the doctor and the patient, and we highly recommend it.
Need Dental Work Without The Anxiety?
If you need dental work but have a fear of the dental chair, then Southland Dental Care can help. We provide sleep dentistry in a relaxing atmosphere that will benefit both you and your dentist.
Your good oral health is vital to your overall health, so don’t delay seeking needed dental treatment due to a fear of the dental chair. Whatever the level of your fear or apprehension about the dentist’s chair, we can help you overcome it so that you can get the treatment you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Is Sleep Dentistry Expensive?
The cost of your sedation dentistry will depend on the type of sedation used and the complexity of your procedure. However, the cost of sedation dentistry may be covered by your insurance provider, so check with them to determine if your insurance plan provides for sedation benefits. If you’ve checked with your plan provider and are still unsure, then call our office, and we’ll try to help you.