Sleep Dentistry

Comfortable and Stress-Free Dental Care with Sleep Dentistry

At Payneham Road Dental & Specialist Centre, we understand that dental visits can be a source of anxiety for many patients.

To ensure a comfortable and stress-free experience, we offer sleep dentistry, a solution designed to help anxious clients receive the dental care they need without fear or discomfort.

If dental anxiety has been keeping you from getting the care you need, sleep dentistry at Payneham Road Dental & Specialist Centre can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can make your dental visits comfortable and stress-free.

What is Sleep Dentistry?

Sleep dentistry, also known as sedation dentistry, involves the use of sedatives to help patients relax during dental procedures. Depending on the level of anxiety and the complexity of the procedure, different types of sedation may be used, ranging from mild relaxation to deep sedation. Our goal is to make your dental experience as comfortable and painless as possible.

How Does Sleep Dentistry Work?

Sleep dentistry can involve various levels of sedation, including:

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): This is a mild sedative inhaled through a mask placed over your nose. It induces a state of relaxation while keeping you awake and able to respond to instructions. The effects wear off quickly, allowing you to drive home after your appointment.
Oral Sedation: This involves taking a prescribed medication before your appointment to help you relax. The sedation level can range from mild to moderate, depending on the dosage. You may feel drowsy and relaxed but will remain awake and able to respond to the dentist.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation: This is a deeper level of sedation administered through an IV in your arm. It induces a state of deep relaxation, and you may not remember much of the procedure. IV sedation is ideal for patients with severe anxiety or those undergoing complex dental procedures.

Who Can Benefit from Sleep Dentistry?

Sleep dentistry is beneficial for a variety of patients, including:

Anxious or Phobic Patients: Those with a strong fear of dental visits can undergo procedures without stress or discomfort.
Patients with a Low Pain Threshold: If you have a low tolerance for pain or have had negative experiences with dental work in the past, sedation can make the process more comfortable.
Patients with Sensitive Gag Reflexes: Sedation can help control gag reflexes, making it easier to perform dental procedures.
Patients Requiring Extensive Work: For those needing multiple or complex procedures, sedation allows for longer appointments, reducing the number of visits needed.

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The Benefits of Sleep Dentistry

Comfort and Relaxation: Sedation helps you remain calm and relaxed throughout your dental procedure, reducing anxiety and fear.
Pain-Free Experience: Sedation minimizes discomfort and pain, ensuring a more pleasant dental visit.
Efficiency: With sedation, more dental work can be completed in a single visit, saving you time and reducing the need for multiple appointments.
Amnesia Effect: Many patients have little to no memory of the procedure, alleviating the fear associated with dental treatments.

Book an Appointment Online or by Phone

Payneham Road On (08) 8363 2025

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North Terrace On (08) 8223 5862

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frequently asked Sleep Dentistry questions

Below our the questions and answers we get asked the most about sleep dentistry in our two Adelaide dental clinics.

What is sleep dentistry, and how does it work?

Sleep dentistry, also known as sedation dentistry, involves the use of medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. The type of sedation used depends on the patient’s level of anxiety and the complexity of the procedure. There are several levels of sedation:

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): A mild sedative inhaled through a mask, inducing relaxation while keeping the patient awake. The effects wear off quickly, allowing patients to resume normal activities soon after the procedure.
Oral Sedation: Involves taking a prescribed medication before the appointment to induce mild to moderate sedation. Patients may feel drowsy but will remain awake and responsive.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation: Administered through an IV in the arm, providing a deeper level of sedation. Patients may not remember much of the procedure and will need some recovery time before leaving the clinic.
General Anesthesia: The deepest form of sedation, where the patient is completely unconscious. This is typically reserved for extensive dental work or patients with extreme dental phobia.

Is sleep dentistry safe?

Yes, sleep dentistry is generally safe when administered by trained professionals. At Payneham Road Dental & Specialist Centre, our team is experienced in providing various levels of sedation and will carefully monitor you throughout the procedure to ensure your safety. Before recommending sedation, we conduct a thorough medical evaluation to determine the most appropriate sedation method for each patient. We also provide detailed pre- and post-sedation instructions to minimize risks and ensure a smooth recovery.

Who is a good candidate for sleep dentistry?

Sleep dentistry is ideal for a wide range of patients, including those who:

Experience significant dental anxiety or phobia.
Have a low pain threshold or sensitive teeth.
Have a strong gag reflex that interferes with dental procedures.
Require extensive or multiple dental treatments in a single visit.
Have difficulty sitting still for long periods.

During your consultation at Payneham Road Dental & Specialist Centre, our team will assess your medical history, dental needs, and anxiety levels to determine if sleep dentistry is a suitable option for you.

What should I expect before, during, and after a sleep dentistry procedure?

Before the Procedure: You will receive detailed instructions on how to prepare for your appointment. This may include fasting for a certain period and arranging for someone to drive you home afterward. Our team will also review your medical history and discuss the sedation process with you.
During the Procedure: Depending on the type of sedation used, you will feel varying levels of relaxation. Nitrous oxide will make you feel calm and slightly euphoric, while oral and IV sedation will induce deeper relaxation, and you may not remember much of the procedure. Throughout the process, our team will monitor your vital signs to ensure your safety.
After the Procedure: The recovery time depends on the type of sedation used. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly, allowing you to drive yourself home. Oral and IV sedation will require more recovery time, and you will need someone to accompany you home. We will provide post-sedation care instructions to ensure a smooth and comfortable recovery.

If you have any additional questions or concerns about sleep dentistry, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Payneham Road Dental & Specialist Centre. Our team is here to help you achieve a comfortable and stress-free dental experience.