When Is Sleep Dentistry a Good Option?

Posted on: 26 June 2020

Not all patients and dental treatments work well with local anaesthetics. There are times when it helps to use deeper sedation. Sleep dentistry techniques can work with anything from mild conscious sedation to full general anaesthesia. When is this option worth considering?

1. You Have Dental Anxiety

If you are nervous seeing a dentist or have a full dental phobia, then getting the treatment you need can be difficult. You might find it hard to sit in your dentist's chair and open up for a check-up. The thought of having any work done might be too much for you to cope with. Even a small filling could send you into a panic.

If you have dental anxiety or phobia, then sleep dentistry can help you overcome your worries and fears. Even mild sedation will help you relax.  

This could also have long-term benefits. If you have some work done under sedation, then you may worry less about seeing the dentist in the future. Sedation helps you confront your fears and see that you don't necessarily have anything to worry about.

2. You Need a Lot of Work Done

Even if you don't have any worries about dental treatment, there are times when sedation is useful. For example, if you are having a more invasive procedure that will take a long time or need a lot of different treatments, then it can help to consider some form of sedation over local anaesthesia. In these cases, your dentist may recommend that you split your treatment over a few appointments. They know that it is sometimes hard for patients to sit through intensive procedures that last a long time.

For example, you may find it hard to stay relaxed and calm if you have to keep your mouth open for extended periods. Sitting in the chair for a long time can be uncomfortable. A local anaesthetic might not last long enough to keep you free from pain for long enough.

If you have sedation, then things get more comfortable for you. While a general anaesthetic sees you sleep through a treatment completely, even milder sedatives can help. Even if you're conscious, you'll stay naturally relaxed. You won't be as aware of time passing or what is going on. You could have a complex procedure or multiple treatments done in fewer appointments which will save you time and money.

To find out more about how a sleep dentist can help you out, contact local dental clinics. 

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