What is Sleep Dentistry?

What is Sleep Dentistry?

If you’re anxious or nervous about your upcoming dental treatment - or if your procedure is particularly lengthy or complex - sleep dentistry can be an ideal solution that helps you completely relax and undergo your treatment feeling calm and comfortable.

How does sleep dentistry work?

Also known as IV sedation or twilight dentistry, sleep dentistry uses intravenous sedation (i.e. administered through an injection) to help you feel very relaxed without actually being completely asleep.

During your dental procedure, you’ll remain conscious but won’t feel any pain. When the treatment is finished, it will be as though no time has passed, and you’ll recover much quicker than if you had a general anaesthetic. You may not even recall your treatment after undergoing sleep dentistry.

Your dentist will adjust the sedation level to suit your individual procedure.

Is sleep dentistry and general anaesthesia the same?

Twilight dentistry is very different to general anaesthesia. With sleep dentistry, you’re conscious, but feel very calm and relaxed throughout your treatment. What’s more, you recover much faster.

Undergoing treatment with sleep dentistry is also much safer than having a general anaesthetic, which can have complications for people with diabetes, obesity and other conditions, or those who smoke.

What treatments is sleep dentistry good for?

Sleep dentistry is a great, safe solution for very anxious patients, as well as those requiring a large amount of dental work.

If you suffer extreme anxiety about dental treatment, IV sedation can enable you to get through your appointment and not have to worry about pain or discomfort.

It’s also handy for patients who have either let work lapse or have major work to be performed within a tight deadline, such as before a holiday. With twilight dentistry, everything can be done at once without the stress of undergoing several appointments close together.

What to do if you have dental anxiety

If you suffer from dental anxiety, rest assured that you’re not alone. Feeling very nervous about visiting the dentist is common for both adults and children.

At National Dental Care Group, all our dentists are trained in making patients feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible throughout their appointment. We offer a range of options for patients with dental anxiety, including sleep dentistry.

Talk to your local National Dental Care or DB Dental practice about how we can make your dental experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. Find your nearest practice and book an appointment online.