What is Sleep Dentistry? Everything You Need to Know

Suppose there is a possibility of entering a dental office and not being anxious, scared of the process to be undergone and unpleasant procedures. Dental visits make many people stressed or even scared, so they simply avoid going to a dentist even when they need one. In contrast, tender procedures of sleep dentistry ensure that dental phobia is not a worry that patients have to face. Whether you have dental phobia, gag reflex fears or it is just your desire to have a comfortable procedure, sleep dentistry employs the newest forms of sedation to make you sleep through the treatment.

This article will enlighten you on all that you want to know about sleep dentistry, including how it operates and the kinds of sedation gear that are available to you so that next time you visit the dentist, you are aware of what to expect.

What is Sleep Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry or sleep dentistry applies various methods of putting the patient to calm during any dental procedure. Unlike in some other procedures where the patient is put to sleep, sleep dentistry involves making the patient comfortable and drowsy. This state makes it possible for those who require some treatments to get them without anxiety or any level of discomfort.

Consequently, sleep dentistry options range from mild laughing gas relaxation to deeper types of sedation as required for various cases. It is most suitable for those who have a phobia of dentists, or those with very sensitive teeth, those who cannot endure the feeling of gag reflex or those who have low pain threshold.

Types of Sedation in Sleep Dentistry

Basically, there are various degrees of sleep dentistry that the dentist may employ depending on which treatment the patient wants and the patient’s pain threshold. Knowledge of these levels enables a patient and the dentist to come up with appropriate strategies to use in addressing different circumstances.

Minimal Sedation (Laughing Gas)

Limited sedation can be achieved by using nitrous oxide or laughing gas, and it will be made through placing a mask over the patient’s nose. This sedative makes patients alert but relaxed and free from anxiety in the process. Nitrous oxide requires only 5-10 minutes to wear off after the treatment, and therefore is ideal for patients who have moderate anxiety and use their personal car to get home. Laughing gas has been described by many patients as an effective form of sedation that puts them at ease, yet does not make them unconscious of what is going on.

Moderate Sedation (Oral Sedation)

This is in the form of pills that one takes and this results in sleepiness together with loss of partial memory concerning the session. Compared to simple sedation, this level of sedation enables patients to stay a little awake, but do not feel fully alert, which makes them to easily relax. Moderate sedation is useful in those cases when the operation is long or complex and while using it, the patient does not fully lose consciousness. Of course, patients are not completely unconscious; they are able to respond to the dentist during treatment, but have very vague memories of it.

Deep Sedation

Deep sedation takes the patient to the stage where they are almost but not completely unconscious, the patient is very sleepy and aware of what is going on around them. Those sedated to a deeper level can also be aroused instantaneously but they are normally unfazed by the noise and feel associated with the procedure. This option is chosen in instances where the patient is either very anxious or requires to undergo long and complicated treatment.

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia makes the patient unconscious and is used in difficult surgical operations. In this case, the patient has no idea of his/her surroundings and is unable to act until the anesthesia is off. General anesthesia is generally administered when a client is highly anxious, has physical inability or rigidity and when the procedure is complicated.

How Does the Sleep Dentistry Process Work?

The concept of sleep dentistry is formulated in a comprehensive manner in ways that enhance safety, comfort as well as patient satisfaction. Here’s what patients can expect:

1.       Pre-Procedure Consultation: The first checkup is done by the dentist where the patient’s medical history, a list of prescriptions that they are currently on and their general health is taken before sedation is administered. This discussion enables the dentist to choose the most appropriate level of sedation and make certain it is safe for you.
2.       Sedation Administration: Depending on the agreed plan, the chosen sedative would be administered on the day of the procedure. The methods of sedation may include; a mask, oral medication, IV depending on the level chosen. During the procedure, a technician is always watching the vital signs including pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation among others in order to rule out any signs of complications.
3.       Post-Procedure Recovery: The patients are allowed some time to rest and get back to their senses before the treatment is considered complete. The dentist emphasizes recovery, instructions about what must be done and what not to do after the procedure, and when it is safe to drive. It is especially recommended, if you underwent oral or IV sedation, to have someone who could drive you home, either from a friend or a family member.

Benefits of Sleep Dentistry

Sleep dentistry offers numerous benefits that help make dental visits more accessible and manageable for those who may otherwise avoid them:

•         Reduces Anxiety and Fear: Dental phobic people have a chance to loosen up, which assists them in receiving the required treatment without strain. That is why patients who are afraid of needles, drills or even the dental chair itself, can have sedation.
•         Allows for Multiple Treatments in One Session: Sedation dentistry is particularly helpful best for patients requiring several procedures since they can be performed in a single visit. This means less frequent trips to the dentist, which is time and stress saving.
•         Improves Comfort for Lengthy Procedures: Most patients may not like sitting in the dentist’s chair for long, especially if it is painful for them to sit for a long duration. Sedation allows the patient to be comfortable throughout the process, thus procedures, which would otherwise require several sittings, can be done in one sitting.
•         Ideal for Patients with Low Pain Tolerance or Gag Reflex: Those patients who have a high degree of pain sensitivity or a gag reflex complaint find even simple dental check-ups unbearable. These problems are solved with the help of sleep dentistry which lets the dentist avoid interruptions and ensures a less stressful session to the patient.

For more information on how sleep dentistry can benefit children, read our detailed guide on Children’s Sleep Dentistry.

and also To explore the full range of benefits and types of sedation used in sleep dentistry, be sure to read our post on The Benefits of Sleep Dentistry.

Who Should Consider Sleep Dentistry?

Sleep dentistry can be useful for many patients especially those with special considerations or who might be extremely anxious. This approach is often recommended for:

Patients with Severe Dental Anxiety or Phobia: Those patients who have severe anxiety or phobia while going to the dentist are willing to receive treatment through the help of sedation.

Individuals Requiring Extensive Dental Work: Patients requiring multiple or long procedures will benefit from any work being conducted in a single session where the patient is sedated.

People with Special Needs or Physical Limitations: Sedation dentistry may be useful to patients who have conditions such as back pain or arthritis that make it impossible for the patient to sit for long.

Patients with a Strong Gag Reflex: People who have a lot of sensitivity on their throat area are usually irritated by a dentist who is drilling their teeth or preparing it for a filling. This response can be controlled by sedation which makes dental care possible.

Children with Dental Anxiety or Special Needs: Kids who are fearful of dental visits or have special needs may benefit significantly from sedation dentistry, making it easier for them to receive the necessary care in a calm and stress-free manner. For detailed information on pediatric sleep dentistry, including its benefits and safety measures, check out our article on Children’s Sleep Dentistry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Sleep Dentistry Safe?

Indeed, sleep dentistry is safe provided it is done by professionals who have undergone the necessary training. Sedation is usually administered by qualified dentists, and they are capable of ensuring and even regulating the patient’s blood pressure and pulse during the procedure. They also have rules and procedures in dealing with changes in the process when they occur.

Will I Feel Pain During Sleep Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is meant to help reduce pain sensations and most people do not feel much or any pain while undergoing the treatment. According to the degree of the sedation the patient might feel only slight pressure but the feeling of pain is most often absent. To patients who easily complain of pain, sedation offers a lot of benefits in that the dentist is able to work in the minimum amount of time possible while the patient is in comfort.

Can I Drive Home After Sleep Dentistry?

For patients who are given minimal sedation (Laughing Gas), it is ok to drive home, even after the procedure. However, patients under moderately deep sedation or those under general anesthesia must make arrangements for transportation because these levels will temporarily affect the patient’s coordination and alertness, making it dangerous for him/her to drive immediately after the procedure. Depending on what type of sedation was administered to the patient, the dentist will always advise accordingly.