Sleep Dentistry

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Sleep Dentistry Sydney, Crows Nest & Bella Vista

 

Sleep dentistry, which can also be referred to as ‘sedation dentistry’ involves creating a calm and relaxed experience for those who suffer from anxiety when it comes to going to the dentist. Agents to help relaxation can be administered in various forms, such as sedatives, oral drugs or via intravenous, inhalation, intramuscular, and submucosal means. Using these methods are intended to reduce anxiety so your treatment can be carried out free from fear, stress or tension.

Dental Anxieties

 

Those who suffer from one or more types of dental anxiety tend to exhibit fear, nervousness or stress whenever they’re in a dentist’s office or chair. Certain triggers can induce these anxieties, such as:

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A phobia of needles
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The noise of the drills
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The dental setting in general (from a previous bad experience or childhood trauma)
These triggers can be mild or severe, and often result in a patient displaying an irrational fear response, or a complete avoidance of dental appointments altogether. Either of these scenarios can help identify and classify dental phobias in patients.
Other causes can be related to pre-existing mental health conditions, such as:
Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
Generalised anxiety disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Previous history of head and neck trauma, which increases the risk of a person experiencing dental anxiety
Michael P.

Very professional yet friendly clinic. From the moment you walk in till the moment you leave you are treated with care and professionalism. The entire staff are extremely welcoming and make you feel very comfortable. Would thoroughly recommend Oralux Dental.

Michael P.

Signs and Symptoms of Dental Anxiety

 

Those who suffer from one or more types of dental anxiety can exhibit symptoms such as:

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Withdrawal and shock
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Sudden or increased sweating
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A racing heartbeat or palpitations
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Low blood pressure and (possible) fainting
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Clear signs of distress, such as crying, shaking or hyperventilating
Often, people who present with any of these symptoms miss appointments or stop going to the dentist altogether. If they do make it, they often have trouble undergoing any treatment, regardless of its complexity, due to how scared they are. This can result in them being stuck in a vicious cycle of:
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Confirmation of fears
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A distressing experience due to the severity of symptoms
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A worsening of the reason they needed to visit the dentist in the first place
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Eventual need to visit the dentist because the symptoms are now too severe to ignore
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Being too nervous to visit the dentist, resulting in them not getting the treatment they need

Types of Sleep Dentistry

 

There are various methods we can use at Oralux Dental to put you at ease during your visit or treatment. It’s important you let us know what type and level of anxiety you suffer from during your visit. This allows us to work out the best way to help keep you calm and relaxed.

Management of the Anxiety or Phobia

If your anxiety is relatively mild, our patients often find techniques such as deep breathing exercises, guided meditation, distractions such as music or the use of screens, and even hypnosis can help.

Oral Medications

If you’ve discussed your anxieties with us prior to your appointment, your Oralux dentist may recommend that you take an anxiety relieving medication like temazepam an hour before your appointment. They’re taken as a single dose and act quickly. However, they do require you to have someone to accompany you before and after your appointment, as you can’t drive safely while under their influence.

Conscious Sedation

If you choose conscious sedation as a way to manage your anxiety, then medication will be administered through an intravenous drip placed in your hand or arm. Oralux Dental will provide a dental seditionist or anaesthetist to properly administer the medication, and will be on hand to ensure your comfort and wellbeing throughout the entire process. Patients often fall asleep or become very drowsy during conscious sedation, so you will need to be accompanied to and from the appointment by a friend or family member to ensure your safety.

General Anaesthesia

General anaesthetic is always carried out in a hospital setting as it involves being fully asleep. This is often a good option for patients who are having extensive work done or have the most severe forms of anxiety. As this procedure is more involved, your dentist will need to assess your suitability and recovery with a pre and post-operative visit.

Benefits of Sleep Dentistry

 

The main benefits of sleep dentistry include a reduction of anxiety in most patients. It allows the experience to be as minimal discomfort and calm as possible, which in turn helps your dentist to perform your treatment faster and more efficiently. It also helps to alleviate any further anxieties when it comes to going to the dentist, as patients who have a good experience tend to feel calmer during subsequent visits.

The key with all phobias and anxieties is to be upfront and honest about them with your Oralux dentist during your visit or consultation. We build 15 minutes into the consultation to discuss your sleep dentistry options with you, and we recommend you take full advantage of that time. For example, if you have a phobia of needles, we can discuss the use of numbing patches before the needle is inserted, which can help counter any associated pain.

As anxiety often stops people coming to see the dentist, sleep dentistry can offer a viable and less daunting alternative to traditional appointments.

Benefits of Sleep Dentistry

The main benefits of sleep dentistry include a reduction of anxiety in most patients. It allows the experience to be as minimal discomfort and calm as possible, which in turn helps your dentist to perform your treatment faster and more efficiently. It also helps to alleviate any further anxieties when it comes to going to the dentist, as patients who have a good experience tend to feel calmer during subsequent visits.

The key with all phobias and anxieties is to be upfront and honest about them with your Oralux dentist during your visit or consultation. We build 15 minutes into the consultation to discuss your sleep dentistry options with you, and we recommend you take full advantage of that time. For example, if you have a phobia of needles, we can discuss the use of numbing patches before the needle is inserted, which can help counter any associated pain.

As anxiety often stops people coming to see the dentist, sleep dentistry can offer a viable and less daunting alternative to traditional appointments.

Risks of Sleep Dentistry

 

The main risks of sleep dentistry involve the drowsiness you may feel after your treatment is completed. Most side effects wear off within 24 – 48 hours; however, we do recommend a friend or family member accompanies you to ensure you get home safely. At Oralux Dental, we do our utmost to minimise any risks or complications by having a thorough consultation process prior to any procedure. We work on a basis of trust and transparency.

Risks of Sleep Dentistry

The main risks of sleep dentistry involve the drowsiness you may feel after your treatment is completed. Most side effects wear off within 24 – 48 hours; however, we do recommend a friend or family member accompanies you to ensure you get home safely. At Oralux Dental, we do our utmost to minimise any risks or complications by having a thorough consultation process prior to any procedure. We work on a basis of trust and transparency.

Download Our Price List

 
We understand it’s important to have insight into your dental investment before committing to treatment. Simply click on the button below, enter your details and receive our latest price list.

Book a consultation with us and we will provide you with a competitive quotation based on our professional assessment of your individual situation.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Download Our Price List

We understand it’s important to have insight into your dental investment before committing to treatment. Simply click on the button below, enter your details and receive our latest price list.

Book a consultation with us and we will provide you with a competitive quotation based on our professional assessment of your individual situation.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Tony P.

I would highly recommend this practice. The staff are very professional, cheerful and make you feel at ease, even when the most complex procedures are carried out.

Tony P.

Schedule A Visit

 

Our team of compassionate and gentle dentists are here to put you at ease and ensure you feel safe and comfortable throughout your dental appointment and any subsequent treatment. We are on hand to answer any questions you may have and are determined to offer the best possible service for you and your family.

Get in touch today to schedule an appointment by calling us on 02 8883 5540 and 02 8065 1702. Alternatively, complete the form below so one of our friendly team members can contact you and help organise your appointment.

Disclaimer: The material posted is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Results vary with each patient. Any dental procedure carries risks and benefits. If you have any specific questions about any dental and/or medical matter, you should consult your dentist, physician or other professional healthcare providers.

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