Visiting the dentist is something most Australians avoid doing due to fear. The majority of people tend to avoid their dentist due to the fear of having to get a procedure done that may cause them discomfort. This anxiety of needles or the sound of dental equipment often leaves people choosing the pain of a cavity over a simple visit to the dentist which could fix it.
What if we told you we could help alleviate any anxiety you may be feeling surrounding procedures? That’s right, here at Mermaid Smiles we offer sleep dentistry to help ease your nerves. Never heard of sleep dentistry before? Don’t worry, today we are breaking down everything you need to know to find out whether it’s the solution to your stress.
What is Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep dentistry is a form of dentistry that dentists utilise when having to complete dental work on patients that may have some anxiety surrounding dentist visits. This type of dentistry offers a solution to any negative feelings about dental procedures by lightly sedating you throughout your procedure so that all your nerves are calmed, and dental work can be completed with ease.
Being sedated throughout dental procedures can help you feel more comfortable when visiting the dentist. After a few sessions of sedated procedures, you may even begin feeling confident enough to have work completed without sedation.
Types of Sedation
At Mermaid Smiles we have two different kinds of sedation for our sleep dentistry procedures, Nitrous Oxide and Twilight Sedation. Nitrous Oxide, more commonly known as ‘happy gas’ is an inexpensive and straightforward choice of sedation. It works quickly and effectively as a light sedative and analgesic. This form of sedation also wears off relatively quickly upon completion of your procedure so you’re able to drive to and from your appointment with no worries.
We also offer Twilight Sedation, a stronger sedation method. For this form of sleep dentistry, we have an in-house anaesthetist who will administer a stronger sedative medicine to help relax your nerves. With Twilight Sedation, the majority of patients don’t even realise that they have a dental procedure taking place even though you are conscious throughout the entire appointment. This sedative may take a few hours to completely wear off after the procedure so it is important that you have someone bring you to the appointment so they can take you home afterwards.
Why Should You Choose Sleep Dentistry?
Are you starting to feel like sleep dentistry might be the perfect option for you? The first reason someone chooses sleep dentistry is generally because of a phobia of the dentist, but there are other reasons sedation should be considered.
Other reasons sedation may be the optimal choice for someone include:
- If they suffer from problems like dementia, including Alzheimer’s
- A poor gag reflex
- You require a more complex procedure
- Having an extremely low pain tolerance
- Exceptionally sensitive gums or teeth
Although these are the most common reasons to choose sleep dentistry there may be something else pushing you to explore the option. Our dentists can sit down and discuss everything you need to know in a consultation prior to your appointment to ensure it’s the right option for you.
Benefits of Sleep Dentistry
Sleep dentistry can be used for a range of dental procedures, so what are the benefits exactly?
Patient Comfort
This is what we would consider being the top benefit of sleep dentistry. Using sedation helps ensure comfort throughout the entire process, especially if you suffer from a phobia or the procedure is on the lengthier side. When our patient is calm and relaxed it makes the procedure simpler for everyone involved.
Simpler Procedures
In some cases where a patient is suffering from fear, mouth sensitivity or memory problems, sleep density can drastically simplify dental work. These issues can lead to a lot of movement from the patient which makes a dentist’s job more difficult resulting in an overall longer appointment. Sedating the patient prevents unnecessary movement allowing the dentist to streamline the procedure by having more control and being able to complete it quickly and effectively.
Limited Memory of the Procedure
With our twilight sedation option, in some cases, patients may not be able to recollect the procedure occurring despite being conscious the entire time. This is beneficial for those who may suffer from an extreme fear of the dentist as even though you are unable to feel the procedure, having no memory can help calm their future nerves.
Reduced Discomfort
Certain procedures may require multiple tools to be put in your mouth throughout the appointment. For some people, especially if you suffer from a poor gag reflex, this can be difficult, particularly for longer appointments. With sleep dentistry, this reflex can be kept under control which means no discomfort in the form of feeling as though you may be sick during your procedure.
How Much Does Sleep Dentistry Cost?
We understand that sleep dentistry can change people’s outlook when it comes to visiting the dentist, which is why we offer extremely competitive prices. Having different sedation options to choose from, also gives you more flexibility to find the perfect option that best suits your budget. Prices for both options can be found on our website here.
Book your consultation today!
Interested in going ahead with sleep dentistry? Prior to booking your procedure, we will need to first have a consultation to discuss your previous health record to understand which treatment choice will be best for you. Contact our team today to get your appointment organised.
