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 normal to feel a little bit apprehensive about visiting a dentist.However, 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 anaesthetists who specialise in sleep dentistry. Utilising state-of-the-art equipment and the right selection of anti-anxiety agents, we can calm your nerves and reduce any discomfort in a perfectly safe process.
Sleep dentistry involves the administration of medication or anaesthesia to help patients relax during dental procedures. At Purity Dental, we use oral anxiolytic medications to relax our patients, allowing 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 canals, children’s dentistry, and many other dental solutions to ease your anxiety and help time pass.
There’s an array of different methods that can be used to carry out sleep dentistry, such as local anaesthesia, Nitrous oxide laughing gas, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anaesthesia. Your eligibility for sleep dentistry will be determined based on your needs and comfort, medical history and the dental treatment you need. Here are the main types of sedation you should know about:
General Anaesthesia: This is a an excellent 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! General Anaesthesia is administered via an injection, and you will be unconscious for the duration of treatment. If you choose this option, you must arrange a ride home post-treatment to ensure safety. Nitrous Oxide: If you dislike needles, you may choose to opt for nitrous oxide (popularly referred to as laughing gas). Nitrous oxide is delivered through a gas, leaving you in a highly relaxed state upon inhalation while still being able to respond. If you have respiratory problems, this method may not suit you. 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. With this method, you will most likely be groggy and relaxed while still aware of your surroundings.IV Sedation: This method of sedation will be delivered directly into your bloodstream, putting you in a deep state of relaxation. With IV sedation, you are most likely to fall asleep. However, you can be awakened with a gentle nudge. Since this form of sedation is stronger than others, it’s a good idea to arrange a ride home after treatment.
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/medical 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. You have generalised anxiety, anxiety associated with other conditions such as claustrophobia, depression or PTSD. You fear needles, dental tools or the overall dental setting. You have a low pain tolerance. You want to relax the jaw muscles (especially if you experience jaw pain).
Sleep dentistry allows people who cannot face any dental treatment to receive much-needed dental care by creating a more relaxed and positive experience. Benefits of sleep dentistry include the following:
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 ensuring a more comfortable experience.It can help suppress the gag reflex, making it easier for patients to finish their treatments.Helps our dentist carry out the treatment safely, with more ease and without complications.Improves oral health by making dental procedures more comfortable and relaxed while encouraging regular dental visits.
The first step is to make an appointment with 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, but we will take the time to listen and discuss any concerns you may have. Once you’re comfortable and have enough information to make a sound decision, we will then have a look at your oral health work out a personalised treatment plan at a pace that you are happy with. We will strive to make each of your visits to our dental practice a positive one and discuss sleep dentistry options in detail as well.
At Purity Dental, we understand that many of our patients are nervous about dental treatments. With our sleep dentistry solutions, we’re here to make dental visits enjoyable and stress-free so you can simply relax while our experienced team takes care of your smile.
Don’t let dental anxiety keep you from seeking the dental care you need. If you want to know more about how we can help you overcome your dental fears or are interested in learning more about sleep dentistry in Melbourne, please contact us at Purity Dental at 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 be 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.
