What Is Sleep Dentistry

sleep dentistry

Do you always feel anxious whenever you think of your next dentist appointment? If so, you’re not alone. Many people worry about visiting their dentists for various reasons. For some, their extreme sensitivity often makes dental procedures painful. For others, their previous bad experiences make them more apprehensive, thinking their appointment might lead to a similar scenario.

If you can relate to these scenarios or feel anxious about dental work for other reasons, you may have heard of sleep dentistry or dental sedation while looking for ways to make your next visit more pleasant.

But you might wonder, “What is sleep dentistry?” and whether it’s something that could help you on your next dental appointment. To learn more about this treatment option, here’s everything you need to know to prepare for your next visit to your dentist.

How Does Sleep Dentistry Work?

For anyone who fears going to the dentist or tries to avoid scheduling important procedures because of anxiety, sleep dentistry is a dental treatment option that can help you feel more comfortable during your dental procedure.

If you’re still wondering what sleep dentistry is and whether you’ve heard of it before, it’s also called twilight or sedation dentistry, dental sedation, or dental IV sedation. Generally, it uses intravenous sedation (IV), administered using an injection, to help you relax without completely falling asleep.

You’ll remain conscious during your dental procedure, but you won’t feel any pain or discomfort. Once your dentist finishes the treatment, you’ll feel as if not much time has passed, and you’ll also recover faster than if your dentist used a general anesthetic.

There’s a chance you might not recall the specifics of your treatment if you choose to undergo dental sedation. Another critical thing to note is that you have the option to ask your dentist to adjust the sedation level to suit your individual procedure. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about upcoming dental treatments. 

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What Are the Types of Dental Sedation?

Now that you’ve learned what sleep dentistry is, you’ll need to know the different types of sedation or twilight dentistry. Your dentist could offer you varying levels of sedation depending on your level of anxiety, your health history, the duration of your dental procedure, and personal preferences. The most common types of sleep dentistry include dental intravenous (IV) sedation, oral conscious sedation, and nitrous oxide.

  • Dental IV is the deepest form of IV sedation available for dental procedures. For this type of sleep dentistry, your dentist will inject the sedative directly to your bloodstream using an IV line.
  • Oral conscious sedation is a type of dental sedation administered in pill form an hour before your procedure. Dentists commonly use the sedative triazolam (Halcion®) in the diazepam (Valium®) family, but some dentists may also use zaleplon and lorazepam. For pediatric dentistry, your dentist may use midazolam oral syrup.
  • Nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” is a type of dental sedation that requires inhaling nitrous oxide through a mask or nosepiece. Once administered, you will begin to feel the effects within three to five minutes.

Is Sleep Dentistry Right for Me?

Now that you know the answer to the question “what is sleep dentistry,” and you’re aware of the different types of dental sedation, you might still wonder if it’s the right dental treatment for you. Twilight dentistry would be the perfect fit if you’re experiencing any of the following:

  • You have extreme anxiety during dental procedures
  • You have dentophobia or odontophobia
  • You are resistant to local general anesthetic
  • You are very sensitive to pain
  • You have had a previous dental-related bad experience
  • You have a general anxiety disorder

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Talk to Your Mosman Dentist Today

Sleep dentistry is a safe solution that can help you overcome pain or discomfort problems during any dental procedure, especially those requiring an extended period of time. Your dentist could offer you several options, so you can feel more at ease and relaxed during your next visit to your dentist.

If you still have concerns about “what is sleep dentistry,” you may visit Mosman Fine Dental to discuss your dental problems with a team of experienced, understanding seditionists and anesthetists. Contact us today to discuss all your options for your next comfortable, pain-free dental visit.

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