Unsure if sleep dentistry is right for you?
Learn about sleep dentistry and the range of options available.
Visiting the dentist can be scary for a number of reasons, and you’re certainly not alone.
Sleep dentistry is a solution that helps many patients benefit from dental treatments, free from fear, pain and anxiety.
If you’ve never experienced sedation or sleep dentistry, you might not know what to expect.
The caring team at Sparkle Dental in Joondalup are here to help you learn about sleep dentistry and the range of options available, to help you understand whether it’s right for you.
What is Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep dentistry is a service especially designed to provide the highest levels of comfort for patients during a dental procedure, ensuring even those fearful of the dentist, can achieve optimal dental health. Even if you’re not particularly fearful of the dentist, you may understandably, prefer to experience a particular procedure under sedation.
As an advanced form of dental sedation, sleep dentistry uses a combination of sedative and pain-relieving drugs given intravenously to create a dream-like state of deep, calming relaxation throughout your procedure.
What are the Sedation options?
The dentists at Sparkle Dental are qualified to provide sedation options to our patients and will advise on the best sedation option for you.
These options include:
IV Sedation
IV sedation or twilight sedation uses a combination of calming and pain-relieving drugs to make patients feel comfortable and deeply relaxed during dental procedures. And, although it makes you feel sleepy, you won’t necessary fall asleep.
Most patients however, don’t remember anything from their procedure and due to no perception of time, it feels much shorter to them.
Oral Anxiolysis Sedation
The definition of anxiolysis is simply, “a reduction in anxiety”.
Anxiolysis sedation involves the use of oral tablets of a single anxiolytic drug in a single dose, prescribed before a patient’s appointment, and administered prior to the beginning of the dental appointment.
Anxiolysis sedation treatments usually dull the senses, and this means that most patients cannot remember the pain, smells or noises associated with the procedure.
Gas Inhalation
Nitrous Oxide
Commonly referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide elevates mood and evokes a sense of general wellbeing. You’ll still be able to hear, see and take action, but likely feel much happier and relaxed throughout your treatment.
This option is generally used for children and shorter treatment times.
Penthrox
Penthrox (Methoxyflurane) is a medicine that alleviates anxiety in much the same way as nitrous oxide and is used for visits that will take less than 30 minutes.
The Penthrox inhaler commonly referred to as the “green whistle” is handheld and self-administered by the patient who controls the level of sedation depending on the rate of intake.
Penthrox is also indicated for the relief of moderate to severe pain in conscious patients and is used for pain relief in emergency situations by paramedics.
General Anaesthetic
General anaesthetic will put you completely to sleep, meaning you will be unconscious throughout your entire procedure.
Due to the high effectiveness of IV Sedation, general anaesthetic is reserved as a last resort.
Who is Sleep Dentistry for?
If you can relate to any of the below, then sleep dentistry may be right for you:
You’re fearful of the dentist of suffer from dental phobia
You have a strong gag reflex
Keeping your mouth open is difficult for you
You have complex dental issues
Complex dental treatments are required
You have a low pain threshold
Noises make you very sensitive
Sleep Dentistry with Sparkle Dental
A dentist who truly cares about your oral and dental health, as well giving you your confidence back may sound hard to find. Luckily, they’re found at Perth dental clinic, Sparkle Dental, with dentists who provide a safe space for your anxieties and the best sedation option for your needs.
Through sleep dentistry, we help our patients conquer their dental fears and find this to be one of the most rewarding parts of our work.
Complimentary Smile Consultation
At Sparkle Dental, we care about your smile, and offer your first consultation completely free.
This includes one of our friendly, professional and highly experienced staff getting to know you and your smile goals, understanding your dental and medical history, and discussing your various options.
Don’t feel quite ready to come into our Joondalup dental clinic?
We offer complimentary video consultations too, allowing you to discover how we can help you, without leaving the comfort of your home.