Do you find it difficult to make a dentist appointment and does this anxiety get in the way of your oral health? If so, you are not alone. It is quite common to feel at least a little bit apprehensive about visiting a dentist. Some people may feel anxiety that causes them to avoid seeking treatment for long periods of time, resulting in severe infections and painful toothaches. Dental fear can negatively impact far more than just the mouth. It can affect confidence and general well-being. Dental pain can also mean limiting your diet to foods that are easier to eat, making it more difficult to achieve balanced nutrition.
At Purity Dental, we help our patients overcome their fears and have a stress-free experience at the dentist using sleep dentistry in Melbourne. We have a team of highly experienced Melbourne dental professionals and qualified anesthetists who specialize in sleep dentistry, utilising state-of-the-art equipment and the right selection of anti-anxiety agents to calm your nerves and reduce any discomfort in a perfectly safe process.
Sleep dentistry involves the administration of medication or anesthesia to help patients relax during dental procedures. At Purity Dental, we are able to use oral anxiolytic medications to relax our patients and allow our dentists to perform the necessary dental treatments.
Also known as sedation dentistry, this method can be used for; emergency procedures, wisdom tooth removal, dental implant surgery, periodontal treatments, root canal, children’s dentistry, and many other dental solutions to ease your anxiety and help time pass.
There’s a range of different methods that can be used to carry out sleep dentistry, including local anesthesia, Nitrous oxide laughing gas, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. The method used for you depends on what you’re most comfortable with, your medical history, and the dental treatment you need. Here are the main types of sedation you should know about:
General Anaesthesia: This is a great option if you have a severe dental phobia or need complex dental work done as it will keep you asleep for the entirety of the procedure! This is administered via an injection. Nitrous oxide: If you dislike needles, you may choose to opt for nitrous oxide (popularly referred to as laughing gas). This method leaves you conscious but in a highly relaxed state, however. It is delivered through the use of a mask but isn’t well suited for patients who suffer from respiratory problems. Oral sedation: You can also be sedated by consuming a pill or liquid. Oral sedation is often combined with other methods to increase its effectiveness. You will most likely still be aware but relaxed with this method.
The good news is that sleep dentistry is appropriate for lots of people with different concerns. Safe for both children and adults, you’ll find sleep dentistry particularly helpful if:
You experience dental anxiety or need help overcoming a bad dental experience. You are worried about pain or discomfort, or have sensitive teeth & gums. You are having a long and complex dental procedure. You have a strong gag reflex.
Sleep dentistry allows people who are unable to face any sort of dental treatment to receive much-needed dental care. It creates a more relaxed, positive experience and can help many people tremendously.
You can have treatment done with reduced anxiety in the comfort of your local dental practice Multiple treatments can be done in a single session, saving you time and fewer visits to the dental office A better treatment experience as it can take a shorter amount of time and result in little or no memory of the procedure Sedation reduces or eliminates pain during dental treatments. This ensures a more comfortable experience.It can help suppress the gag reflex, making it easier for patients to finish their treatments.
The first step is to make an appointment to visit us for a simple chat with one of our dentists at Purity Dental. We understand this can be a huge first step for many people, therefore we ensure we take the time to listen and discuss your concerns. When you feel comfortable enough with us, we will then have a look at your oral health, and discuss your concerns and any of our findings. Together we can sit and work out a treatment plan at a pace you are comfortable with, as we endeavor to make each of your visits to our dental practice a positive one. During this stage, we will discuss your course of sleep dentistry plan in detail as well. If you would like to know more about how we can help you overcome your dental fears, or are interested in learning more about sleep dentistry in Melbourne, then please contact us at Purity Dental on 9540 8900.
Dental anesthesia is not painful. You may experience some numbness or slight pressure when it is being administered, but the anesthetic will help you not feel discomfort and make you more relaxed when you come in for your dental treatment.
The cost of sleep dentistry will vary on the type of sedation used. Light cases of sedation can vary from $200-$400 but in more complex cases where sedation for a longer duration is required, this cost increases. Give us a quick call at Purity Dental for more information on our pricing for sleep dentistry.
Not at all! Dental sedation is more patient-specific. This means, it can be used for a range of treatments (from minor to complex) in order to help you relax.
Performed by a qualified anesthesiologist, sleep dentistry is also safe to administer to children. In fact, it may be easier for them to undergo certain dental procedures while asleep. We will need consent from legal guardians before proceeding, however.
You will be given a full brief at your consultation with us. Please be sure to share any pre-existing medical conditions and medications you may taking at this stage. We recommend fasting for 6 hours before your procedure (this includes water). After your treatment, you will be monitored until a responsible adult arrives to accompany you home. We advise that a responsible adult stays with you for the remainder of the day. Recovery time will depend on your individual needs and the procedure you underwent.
Due to the lingering effects of sedation, it is generally recommended that you have someone accompany you and drive you home after the treatment.
Schedule a consultation with one of our qualified dentists. During this appointment, we will carry out a comprehensive examination, discuss your dental concerns, address any questions you have about our sleep dentistry techniques and explain them in greater detail so you can make an informed decision about which type of sedation is best suited for you.
