If dental visits make you feel nervous, you are not alone. It is common to delay check-ups or wait to book treatment because you do not want to feel uncomfortable or because you have had a difficult experience in the past. Over time, a small issue can become harder to manage and may need more time and planning.
Sleep dentistry is one option that may help you get the care you need while feeling more relaxed during your appointment. It uses sedation to help you feel calmer during treatment, so the appointment can feel more manageable from start to finish. Depending on what is suitable for you, this may involve nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation, with the option planned based on your medical history and the type of dental care you need.
At The Smile Collective, sleep dentistry is available across clinics in Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula, including Mornington, Greensborough, Mooroolbark, Strathmore, Oakleigh, and Mount Eliza. Understanding how sleep dentistry works and what it involves can help you feel more prepared when considering your options, including whether it suits your needs and what steps are involved before treatment.
What Is Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep dentistry is a term used for dental treatment carried out with sedation to help you feel calmer and more comfortable. It is different from general anaesthesia, where you are fully unconscious and need hospital-level monitoring. With sedation, you are usually still able to breathe on your own and respond to instructions, even though you may feel very relaxed and may not remember much of the appointment.
In most cases, “sleep dentistry” refers to conscious sedation, which can be provided in a few ways. Oral sedation involves taking a prescribed tablet before your appointment to help you feel relaxed. Nitrous oxide (happy gas) is breathed in through a mask during treatment and wears off soon after it is stopped. IV sedation is given through a small cannula in your arm and can lead to deeper relaxation, with close monitoring throughout.
The type of sedation that may be suitable for you depends on your medical history, the dental procedure, and safety considerations, and this is discussed before treatment.
Who Is Sleep Dentistry For?
Sleep dentistry may suit you if you feel nervous about dental visits or if you have delayed dental care because of worry or past experiences. It can also help if you have a strong gag reflex, because this can make even simple treatment difficult. This option is sometimes considered when treatment takes longer, when more than one procedure is planned, or when staying still for the time needed to finish treatment safely is hard for you.
Sleep dentistry may also be considered for adults and children who find it difficult to stay still for the time needed to complete dental treatment safely. In these cases, sedation can help make the appointment calmer and more controlled, while still allowing the dental team to carry out the planned care. The type of sedation used depends on your needs, your medical history, and the dental procedure.
For most patients, sleep dentistry is considered safe when it is provided by a qualified team with appropriate monitoring and preparation. Your suitability is checked first, and you will be given clear instructions so you know what to expect before and after your appointment.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Before anything is organised, you will have an appointment to go over your medical history and the dental treatment you need, so the team can check whether sleep dentistry is suitable for you. You will also be given simple instructions for the day, including whether you need to avoid food or drink beforehand and whether someone needs to take you home.
On the day, the sedation option is confirmed again and then provided in the form that has been planned for you. This may involve a tablet before treatment, nitrous oxide through a mask during treatment, or IV sedation through a small cannula in your arm. You are monitored throughout the appointment, and the team can explain what is happening during treatment.
After treatment, you will spend time in recovery until you are more alert and ready to leave. If you have oral or IV sedation, you will need a responsible adult to drive you home, and it is usually recommended that you rest for the remainder of the day. Knowing these steps ahead of time can help the day feel more predictable and easier to manage.
Benefits of Sleep Dentistry
The following are the benefits of sleep dentistry:
- Can help you feel calmer and more comfortable during dental treatment
- May help reduce anxiety for patients who have delayed care due to fear or past experiences
- Can allow more dental work to be completed in one visit, depending on the procedure and your treatment plan
- Some patients have limited memory of the appointment afterwards, particularly with oral or IV sedation
- Can be helpful for longer or more complex treatments where staying still for an extended time is difficult
Sleep Dentistry at The Smile Collective
Sleep dentistry is available at The Smile Collective clinics in Mornington, Greensborough, Mooroolbark, Strathmore, Oakleigh and Mount Eliza. If you feel anxious about dental treatment, have a sensitive gag reflex, or find longer appointments difficult, this option may help make your visit more manageable. Before anything is planned, your suitability is checked, and you are given clear instructions on what to do before and after your appointment, including whether you will need someone to drive you home.
To find out if sleep dentistry is suitable for you, book a consultation with The Smile Collective and discuss your concerns, medical history, and the type of dental care you may need.
Book a Consultation
If dental treatment has been hard to manage in the past, sleep dentistry may be an option to consider. It can help you feel calmer during your appointment and make it easier to complete the care you need. To find out what may be suitable for you, book or schedule a consultation at The Smile Collective and discuss your concerns, medical history, and treatment plan.
Read more about sleep dentistry:
https://thesmilecollective.com.au/sleep-dentistry/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22275-sedation-dentistry
