Is Sleep Dentistry Right for Me?

Are you afraid of going to the dentist? Have you come across the term “sleep dentistry” and are wondering if it is an option for you? You have landed at the right place. This article describes sleep dentistry and all that must be considered when opting for it. Have a good read!

What is Sleep Dentistry?

Sleep dentistry is the procedure of sedating the patient before the dental procedure to reduce the pain and discomfort faced by them. Patients must confirm their eligibility for it before going under the knife. A variety of sedatives can be used to ease the pain depending on the overall health of the patient. Because of the use of sedatives this method is also known as sedation dentistry.

Types of Sedatives Used:

• • Nitrous oxide for minimum sedation by inhalation

  • Sedative in medications to be taken orally

  • IV moderate sedation for receiving sedative through a drip in your vein

  • General anaesthesia for deep sedation

Is Sleep Dentistry Right for Me?

As with any surgical treatment, there are certain health pre-requisites to being suitable for sleep dentistry. You can go ahead with this dental treatment once your dentist recommends it after a detailed examination. It may involve answering common questions about your health and presenting your dentist with the details of any health conditions you might have. Once cleared, some of the conditions where sleep dentistry is the best option include:

1. Phobia of dental procedures

If you or your loved ones generally avoid visiting a dentist just because of the fear of sitting on the dentist’s chair, the machinery used for dental procedures such as the drill, or any other part of the dental clinic that makes you cringe, sedation dentistry is the option for you. It is highly recommended by dentists to treat patients with mild fear to a phobia of any or all dental procedures. Sedatives help dental patients relax and experience less pain while the dentists are given more time to focus on the treatment.

2. General anxiety disorder

Dentists also recommend it for patients who suffer from a heightened general anxiety disorder. Going through any dental treatment can be challenging for such patients and may elevate their anxiety. Hence, before getting their teeth operated on, dentists help them calm down using sedatives that suit their health condition. Many such patients have benefited from sleep dentistry.

3. Age

The age of the patient, along with their dental anomaly, plays an important role in deciding the course of dental treatment. It is observed that little children or aged individuals find it difficult to sit for longer durations. If they are not experiencing any other major health conditions that can limit the use of sedatives, they can be prescribed sleep dentistry.

4. Overall health condition

One of the major considerations when planning to opt for sedatives is to analyse their suitability with the health conditions being experienced and related medications taken by an individual. Sleep dentists prefer to use sedatives for patients whose diseases does not allow them to lay still. For example, a patient with Parkinson’s disease must be treated with sleep dentistry if the sedatives do not conflict with other medications they are using.

5. Cases of accidents

In any form of accidents that result in oral injuries, sedation dentistry is the primary recommendation of dentists. It allows the patients to go through quick, virtually painless, and even multiple dental treatments when required. Dental injuries through sports and road accidents are widely treated using sleep dentistry.

What Procedures can be Performed with Sleep Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry can be used for performing any dental invasive or non-invasive procedures. It is a recommendation when performing major dental procedures. But it can also be used if the patient is feeling uncomfortable even with minor dental treatments. The wide range of options for sedatives allows for the administration of lighter doses of mild sedatives for small treatments. The purpose is to help patients relax. Some of the dental procedures for which sleep dentistry is a must include:

• • Cosmetic dentistry

  • Root canal treatment

  • Dental implants

  • Wisdom tooth removal

Also Read: How Dental Implants Help You Smile Brighter?

What are The Benefits of Sleep Dentistry?

It is a dental innovation that helps both the patients and the dentists as well. Some of the major benefits of sleep dentistry include:

• • Virtually painless for patients

  • Eliminates the possibility of discomfort

  • Helps patients relax throughout the treatment

  • More than one form of sedation available

  • Can be used to perform various dental procedures

  • Allows dentists to focus more on the treatment

  • Takes less time as the patient is still

  • Helps dentists perform dental treatments with high precision

In The End:

Sleep dentistry has revolutionised the way dental patients have been provided treatment over the last few years. There is comparatively less pain than the dental procedures performed without sedatives. Patients who satisfy the primary criteria of overall health can benefit from this type of dentistry. If you are looking for a comfortable dentistry experience for yourself or your loved ones in Claremont, visit Ashton Avenue Dental Practice. Our expert dentists will be more than happy to help you through this virtually painless dental procedure.

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