Sleep Dentistry: What Is It and When Do You Need It?

Do you have anxiety when you see the dentist? If so, you might benefit from sleep dentistry, also known as sedation dentistry. 

When you go through this process, you can get any kind of dental work done — from minor to major — without having any concerns, pain, or even much memory of the procedure. Sleep dentistry in Oakville can be a great choice if you’ve been avoiding the dentist due to fear.

If you’re nervous about getting dental work done, it’s time to look into sleep dentistry and how it can work for you.

What Is Sleep Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry can help you relax

Can you sleep through a dental appointment? Well, sleep dentistry isn’t really about you being asleep. After all, you need to open your mouth and allow the dentist to do their work. So you don’t exactly get dentistry while you sleep, but it’s close.

Sleep dentistry allows you to be sedated so that you’re completely relaxed during your appointment. You won’t have any pain during the treatment. Afterward, you may not even remember much about the experience!

You can get sedation dentistry in a variety of ways. We offer nitrous oxide, which is also known as laughing gas. This is a good option for young people because it can turn the dentist trip into something fun instead of something challenging. Adults also enjoy it, especially since you can recover in 5 minutes and drive yourself home.

We can also help you relax with IV sedation, which is perfect for more complex procedures as well as simple hygiene appointments. 

Is Sleep Dentistry Safe?

Any time you’re dealing with sedation, it’s important to ensure that you’re safe. While there are always risks with any medication, our experienced dentists will minimize any risk by carefully assessing your health and needs before we move forward.

Sometimes you may need to talk to your doctor before having sedation dentistry, for example if you have obstructive sleep apnea. Certain health conditions can make it more likely that you’ll have complications from the anesthesia. 

Before we move forward with sleep dentistry, we carefully review your medical history and ask about your current medications. We determine the dose you’ll need for the target level of sedation. We also have safety equipment nearby to reverse the effects of sedation if necessary.

Who Benefits from Sedation Dentistry?

Anyone — young or old — can benefit from sleep dentistry

As you get ready to search “sedation dentistry near me,” you might wonder what makes you a good candidate for sleep dentistry. Who benefits most from this process?

Sedation dentistry is a good solution for those who have anxiety about going to the dentist. This can happen at any age, from children to older adults. Some people have extreme fears about simple cleaning appointments, and others only get nervous when they need to have teeth removed or significant dental procedures. 

No matter where you are on the spectrum, there’s no reason to be ashamed. There are a lot of reasons that people are nervous about dentists. Our goal is to get you the dental care you need in the most comfortable way possible. That’s why sleep dentistry is available!

Other patients who benefit from sedation dentistry are those who have trouble sitting still in the dentist’s chair. This can happen with children who need a longer procedure or people with certain disabilities. Sometimes a person is simply antsy. There’s nothing wrong with that — we can help you with sedation.

If you have a low pain tolerance or very sensitive teeth, getting routine dental care might be very uncomfortable. This is another case where sedation can help you be more comfortable and reduce the amount of pain you feel. We want to be able to give you the care you need without any discomfort.

Sometimes people have a very strong gag reflex. This might mean that routine or complex dental work is nearly impossible unless they receive at least a low level of sedation. Something as simple as nitrous oxide can help their muscles relax so that they can get their teeth cleaned or cavities filled.

As you can see, there are a lot of patients that benefit from sleep dentistry!

What Does Sleep Dentistry Feel Like?

What does it feel like if you’re sedated for a dental procedure? In general, you’ll feel a bit groggy, calm, and relaxed. That allows you to go through the dental care you need without any fears or worries.

If you are given nitrous oxide, the gas may be scented with a fruit smell. You’ll feel relaxed and light, and you’ll often laugh — hence the name “laughing gas”. You feel a bit euphoric and more things strike you as funny. You may also have a slower reaction time and you’ll have less pain sensitivity.

If you decide on IV sedation, you will experience a deeper sense of relaxation than with nitrous oxide. The specific dose in the IV will determine how much sedation you experience, and at higher levels you might struggle to stay awake. You’ll feel relaxed and safe, and you might have a fuzzy memory or no memory of the procedure afterward. 

We’ll make sure that your dose of anethesia is not any higher than you need to relax and have an anxiety-free and painless experience. That way, you’ll be safer and have fewer concerns with the medication

Take Advantage of Sleep Dentistry Today

If you have fear about coming to the dentist or have other struggles when it comes to making it through a dental procedure, sleep dentistry could be exactly what you’re looking for.

It’s very effective at helping you relax and reduces the pain you feel. The sedation works quickly, within a few minutes, so you don’t have to worry about not getting the relief you need. If you get nitrous oxide, you can often drive yourself home, but IV sedation will require you to get a ride with someone else.

Don’t hold back on getting the dental care you need simply because you have anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or other concerns. We’re here to make your experience comfortable while giving you the care you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Contact Family Dentist Tree today for an appointment! Call us at (905) 845-1833.

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