For some, visiting the dentist can be a daunting experience. Whether it’s the smell, sounds or the tools and implements used, dental fear is a very real issue that affects many people. Luckily there is a solution - Sleep dentistry.

One of the main downsides associated with dental anxiety is the fact that it can cause people to avoid making appointments with the dentist. This can increase the risk of many different dental issues. 

If you happen to suffer with dental anxiety, sleep dentistry, also known as sedation dentistry is an excellent solution. Whether it is past experiences that have put you off returning to the dentist or a fear of healthcare professionals in general, sleep dentistry can be a great solution to return you to a healthy, bright smile comfortably and anxiety free.

What is sleep dentistry?

Sleep dentistry, also known as sedation dentistry, is designed to help people that suffer with dental anxiety, undergo a whole host of important dental procedures while being sedated. 
There are many different sedation forms and techniques which are designed to serve a multitude of purposes.

Some sedation techniques are designed to help people to relax during dental procedures, whereas others provide pain relief and even place patients to sleep. 
Whether it comes in the form of gas, an oral sedative, or even an IV, sleep dentistry can prove to be very useful.

Types of sleep dentistry

The two main types of sleep dentistry include twilight sedation and oral conscious sedation. 
Both types of sedation are perfectly natural and are completely safe and monitored to provide a positive experience and a relaxing environment for the patient suffering with dental anxiety. 

Here’s a quick look at the main differences between the two: 

Twilight sedation

Twilight sedation, also known as twilight anaesthesia, is a sedation technique whereby a mild and controlled dose of sedative is applied to the patient in order to induce what is known as anxiolysis (anxiety relief). 

With twilight sedation, the patient will be sedated, but still awake and fully conscious. This form of sedation gets its name from the fact that the patient is placed into a “twilight” state where they are relaxed and sleepy, but still able to listen to the dentist and follow instructions. 

Oral conscious sedation 

Oral conscious sedation, as the name implies, is a form of sedation whereby an individual will consume an oral sedative, or a combination of oral sedatives to cause the patient to feel sleepy and relaxed.

In this type of sleep dentistry, the patient is conscious and awake, although they will feel drowsy and sleepy. They may also struggle to stay awake and keep their eyes open. 

Our trained dentists at Tuart Hill Dental in Perth use a selection of sedatives and sedation techniques to help people overcome dental anxiety, regardless of how it manifests itself. 

Who should have sleep dentistry?

Sleep dentistry is designed mainly for people who struggle with dental fear or anxiety and who struggle mentally with visits to the dentist. Anyone who does not suffer from a health condition that prohibits sleep dentistry can undergo sleep dentistry.

At Tuart Hill Dental, we provide sleep dentistry services to people of all ages, genders, shapes, and sizes. If the patient in question suffers with fear and/or anxiety surrounding a visit to the dentist, sleep dentistry can, and will help.

What are the main benefits of sleep dentistry?

The main benefits that sleep dentistry can provide include:

• Pain relief
• Anxiety control
• Reduce negative emotions
• Non-invasive
• Speed up recovery times
• Safe and controlled 

What to expect

On your first appointment one of the dentists at Tuart Hill Dental will examine exactly what work you need and if you are a good candidate for sleep dentistry. From there a trained sedationist medical practitioner is organised for your next appointment where you will be put to sleep and the required dental procedures are performed.

Sedation provides many of the advantages of a general anaesthetic without all of the complications. Patients are able to go home the same day having had their dental treatment performed in a relaxed environment.