Sleep dentistry – what it is and how it might help you overcome your fear of the dentist for good

Dental anxiety is more common than you may think, so if it affects you, know that you are not alone.

In fact, one study (1) estimated that it affects one in seven Australian adults and is one of the country’s most common anxiety disorders.

But what if there was a way to beat your fear of the dentist for good? That’s what sedation dentistry can do — offer you a calm, anxiety-free experience and help you feel confident about going to the dentist.

What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry, also known as sleep dentistry, involves offering the patient a sedative or anaesthesia before their procedure.

This means they are relaxed or even asleep during treatment so that anxiety, awareness and discomfort are all reduced.

It’s safe, tried-and-tested and helps many people who would otherwise struggle with their dental treatment.

What happens during sedation dentistry?

The first step is your consultation, where your dentist will assess what work needs to be done and explain the sedation process. You will also be given an estimate of how much the treatment will cost.

As you will be having anaesthesia, you will need to fast the day before. Don’t worry — you will be given full instructions on when to start this.

You will also need to arrange for someone to pick you up after your appointment, as you won’t be able to drive.

On the day of your procedure, your anaesthetist will give you the sedative through an IV drip in your hand or arm. This will make you feel relaxed and sleepy. Here at Somersmiles Dental, we also offer noise-cancelling headphones and blankets to keep you comfortable. Your anaesthetist will be on hand throughout the procedure to monitor you and keep you safe. When you wake up, you most likely won’t remember anything about your procedure. You’ll be taken to a recovery area and monitored until it’s safe for you to go home. You will be given instructions on how to look after yourself afterwards and may also be prescribed medication to take home with you.

What are the benefits of sedation dentistry?

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of sedation dentistry is that if you are usually anxious about the dentist, you can undergo the procedure in a relaxed state. And it’s common for patients to not remember anything about their treatment once they’re awake.

It’s also good to know that sedation helps your dentist work more efficiently. They will be able to complete different procedures in a single visit (though this may not always be the case for certain treatments such as crowns). It’s pretty versatile too, as a wide range of procedures, including fillings, root canal work, gum treatment, crowns, implants, extractions and smile makeovers, can be done under sedation dentistry.

And it’s not necessarily more costly than regular dental treatment, particularly if you are having multiple procedures done in one appointment. You can ask your dentist about the cost of your individual treatment plan. Ultimately, sedation dentistry can help you beat your fear of the dentist once and for all. As soon as you’ve had a positive experience, you’ll feel good about going to the dentist…and you may even look forward to coming to see us!

Your local sleep dentistry service

If you haven’t been to the dentist for a while and have been inspired by our article, know that we are your local sleep dentistry service for Somerville, Frankston, Mornington and Tooradin. It’s all part of our ethos here at Somersmiles Dental — offering the latest dental techniques in a caring and stress-free environment. In fact, we want you to look forward to coming to see us…so make that appointment and see what we have to offer!

Reach out to our friendly team and we’ll find a time to get that smile sparkling again!

References 1. Armfield J. ‘The extent and nature of dental fear and phobia in Australia,’ Australian Dental Journal, 2010 Dec;55(4):368-77. doi: 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2010.01256.x.