What is Sleep Dentistry or Conscious Sedation Dentistry?

What is Sleep Dentistry?

Sleep Dentistry is a rather new dental technique that is performed by specially trained professionals known as sedation dentists. The technical definition of sleep dentistry is the use of anesthesia during dental treatment to allow a patient to sink into a state of deep relaxation. Sleep dentistry is sometimes also referred to as sedation dentistry. With sleep dentistry the patient can be put in either a conscious sedative sleep state or an unconscious sedative sleep state. With sedation dentistry you can visit your dentist with peace of mind of knowing that it will be a relaxed, pain-free, and anxiety-free visit. If you have long been someone that either fears the pain of dental work or you don't like having personal space invade then it might be time for you to consider a sleep dentist.

How Does Sleep Dentistry Work?

With sleep dentistry usually patients will be given some type of medication in advance by their sedation dentist and be instructed to take it before their visit. In this case it will require the patient to have someone else take them to the dental office. The medication that they are given should not put them to sleep but should make them quite drowsy. Once in the dental chair they should become extremely relaxed and although technically conscious they will essentially be asleep.

Are Patients Unconscious During Sleep Dentistry?

Generally patients are not unconscious during sleep dentistry. There are cases where a procedure may require an unconscious or deep sedative state but these are quite rare. In most cases the patient is actually put in a physical state of extreme relaxation where they doze in and out of being awake. Their sleep state in generally just deep enough that they don't realize the procedure is taking place and they wake up with little or no memory of it.

When is Sleep Dentistry Generally Used?

Sleep dentistry is most often used in situations where a patient requires a long or typically painful procedure. It is also often used with patients that experience dental phobia. People with a dental phobia or dental anxiety usually either have a natural fear of the dentist or experienced some type of traumatic event with a dentist while they were a child. Sleep dentistry is also used quite often with children since they can be easily frighten and usually have a hard time sitting still for an extended period of time. In most areas you can find a special pediatric sedation dentist for your child.

What Types of Sleep Dentistry Sedatives Are Used?

Currently there are four different types of dental sedation with each one being a possibility depending on the type of procedure the dentist will be performing on its patient. The types can range from conscious sedation to general anesthesia (unconscious).

• Oral Sedatives: Generally these are the pills that are given to patients to take shortly before they arrive for their dental work. These pills are usually taken about an hour before the scheduled appointment and they help the patient get into an extremely relaxed yet conscious state.

• Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous Oxide a.k.a. laughing gas is used by a sedation dentist to again help put the patient in an extremely relaxed state. It is another form of conscious dentistry

• Intravenous: Intravenous a.k.a. IV is another type of sedative that is used by a sedation dentist. This is again another form of conscious sleep dentistry. With Intravenous sedation the medication will be delivered directly to your bloodstream resulting in the quick onset of a relaxed state. Intravenous sedatives help patients to get into such a relaxed state that they often do not remember the procedure but at the same time are still able to respond to requests from their dentist.
  

• General Anesthesia: This is the one form of dental sedation that allows a patient to be unconscious. This form of dental sedation is rare and is only used in cases of extreme dental phobia or when an extremely complex procedure is being performed.
  

A Final Word On Sleep Dentistry

Sleep Dentistry is a still relatively new procedure and something that most people do not take advantage of. For most people seeing the dentist is just another part of everyday life but for others sleep dentistry has made a world of difference. These people are no longer forced to visit their dentist in extreme fear or completely avoid getting the oral care they need. Sleep dentistry is clearly not for everybody but if you are sick and tired of dealing with the fear and anxiety of visiting your dentist then you should get in contact with a sedation dentistry specialist to discuss your options and find out if sleep dentistry is right for you.

Another issue we will be discussing here in the future will have to do with sleep apnea sufferers and what they should do regarding dental visits.