What is Sleep Dentistry?.

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    Posted by Dr. William Linger, DDS, MAGD

    sleep dentistry

    Sleep dentistry or Sedation dentistry is an important aspect of dental care that involves the use of sedation in treating patients for a variety of dental issues. These sedatives are generally used to help the patient to relax during the dental procedure. 

    While some patients like the idea of sedation dentistry, they may have some questions that they would like answered before determining whether they'd like to use it or not. Here are 6 important questions that patients have about using sleep dentistry. 

    Who Can Benefit From Sleep Dentistry?

    There are so many people who can benefit from sedation dentistry. If you have a lot of anxiety when it comes to going to the dentist, if you have avoided going to the dentist for years because you are too nervous to receive treatment, if you are worried about the pain of dental treatment, if you don't like the sounds of the dental tools that are used, or if you would like to get a great deal of dental work done at one time, then sedation dentistry can be very beneficial for you. 

    What Are The Different Kinds Of Sedation Levels And Sedatives?

    There are generally three levels of sedation that are used and these are classified as minimal, moderate, or deep sedation. A form of minimal sedation that several dentists use is nitrous oxide, which is also known as "laughing gas".

    This is a gas that is inhaled through your nose and helps you to feel calm and relaxed. You are completely aware of what is going on during your dental procedure when using nitrous oxide, but you are much more calm than usual. 

    A form of moderate sedation that is also used is oral sedation. This sedative is administered via a pill. You are carefully monitored when sedated with this pill and will not have any recollection of the dental procedure.

    This is great for those who are very anxious at the dentist and can't even stand the thought of having any dental work done. Finally, a form of deep sedation is IV Sedation.

    This type of sedative involves the use of an IV to sedate you. With this type of sedation, it is as if you are asleep during your treatment, so you won't remember a thing.

    How Will I Feel When Sedated?

    How you feel during sedation will depend on what type of sedation is used. If you are under a mild form of sedation, you will feel very calm and at ease. If you are under moderate sedation, you will be awake, but likely won't remember anything. With deep sedation, you are essentially asleep and will be completely unaware. 

    Is Sleep Dentistry Safe For Everyone?

    For most healthy adults, sedation dentistry is as great option. However, in order to be 100% sure that you are a good candidate for sedation, your dentist will ask you a variety of health questions and have you address any concerns that you may have.

    A couple of examples of adults who should not receive sedation dentistry are women who are pregnant and anyone who has had allergic reactions to sedatives in the past. 

    How Will I Feel After The Treatment?

    While it may take a bit of time to become fully conscious after you have been on a sedative, once you have, you will feel great. The numbing agents used in your mouth will help to reduce any pain that you may have.

    You will also still likely feel very calm and relaxed, which can help conclude your dental appointment on a good note. 

    Can Any Dentist Use Sedation Dentistry?

    Most dentists can perform gas or oral sedation, but only dentists who have completed the program through the Commission on Dental Accreditation can perform IV sedation dentistry. This can give you a great deal of comfort as a patient because you know your dentist will properly use the sedatives that they give you.

    To learn more about sedation dentistry, visit us here

    Topics: Sedation Dentistry

    sedation dentistry guide

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