Melbourne Sleep Dentistry Specialists
At Dental Implant & Sleep Centre, we understand that dental anxiety can make it difficult to undergo treatment. Our team provides a calm and supportive environment to help patients feel comfortable and informed throughout their procedure.
Our team of experienced sleep dentistry professionals provides care in a supportive and relaxed environment, helping patients manage dental anxiety during treatment.
What is Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep dentistry, also called sedation dentistry, is a method where the dental team gives the patient a sedative before the dental surgery. These medications help the patients relax before the treatment. While these are not supposed to put the patients under, many patients end up falling asleep during the procedure.
There are different levels of sleep dentistry, and the most common ones are:
General Anaesthetic
Specialist Anaesthetists come into our dental clinic and under strict hospital guidelines, they will put you to sleep during your dental procedures. This is the best form of sleep dentistry if you are phobic and/or undergoing major procedures.
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Oral Sedation
Oral sedation involves taking a prescribed medication orally before the dental procedure. These medications induce a relaxed and calm state, reducing anxiety and making the patient feel more at ease during the treatment. The level of sedation achieved with oral sedation is generally milder than sleep dentistry.
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Happy Gas
Happy gas is a safe and effective technique for dental relaxation. It involves inhaling a nitrous oxide and oxygen mixture through a nose mask. This method reduces anxiety and discomfort during procedures, making it ideal for nervous patients or lengthy treatments. Its effects wear off quickly, allowing patients to resume their activities without drowsiness or side effects.
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The level of sedation is determined based on factors such as personal preferences, health history, procedure length, and the level of anxiety of the patient.
Who Needs Sleep Dentistry?
- Suffer phobia or extreme anxiety due to dental processes
- Have had a traumatic or bad dental experiences in the past
- Have highly sensitive oral nerves
- Smaller mouth that could become sore during a lengthy dental procedure
- Are resistant to local anesthesia
- Have an anxiety disorder
- Have a low pain tolerance
- Require lengthy procedures like implants, tooth extraction, root canals and more.
In some cases, our dentists may recommend sleep dentistry for children who cannot behave or sit still in the dental chair.
Generally, sleep dentistry is not offered when it comes to routine dental procedures, like x-rays, dental cleanings, and other dental care. Here at the Melbourne Dental Implant Centre, one of our dentists will discuss the options for sleep dentistry with you.
Associated Risks of Sleep Dentistry
Sleep dentistry is a safe process when administered by an experienced dental healthcare provider. However, there might be short-term complications or risks experienced in some cases. These might include:
- Bruising due to IV
- Headaches
- Vomiting and nausea
- Dry mouth
- Lingering drowsiness
It could also be challenging to predict the side effects of oral sedation. In rare cases, patients might have an allergic reaction.
This is why it is important to inform your dentist about any allergies or medications you might be taking that could cause a negative reaction.
Sleep Dentistry FAQs
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