Sleep dentistry, or sedation dentistry as it is also called among professionals, refers to the practice of putting a patient - you, for example - under sedation before the dental procedure is performed.
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For those who fear going to the dentist or those who deal with anxiety each time they enter the dentist’s office, sedation dentistry is an excellent option. Conscious Sedation dentistry in Melbourne helps to give patients a comfortable, relaxing experience when they undergo dental procedures. If you’re considering sedation dentistry, you may be wondering how it works and whether dental sedation is the right choice for your needs. Here is a closer look at dental sedation, the benefits it offers and a look at who can benefit from seeing a sedation dentist. Sedation dentistry, also known as sleep dentistry, uses medications formulated to induce a deep sense of relaxation or sedation among patients. Keep in mind that you may not be completely unconscious during the procedure - just mildly to moderately sedated and, hence, sleepy. Keep in mind, too, that advanced sedation dentistry is a specialised branch of dentistry so dentists must undergo additional training before offering the service to their patients. Overcoming Your Fears Seeking the professional services of the best sedation dentist in town is an excellent course of action when your fears prevent regular dental appointments. You may have a fear of needles (i.e., trypanophobia) so much so that even the sight of a single needle turns your knees into jelly, much more the thought of your gums being pierced with it. You may have a fear of instruments being placed inside your mouth, or a fear of smells in clinics, or a fear of men in white. Whatever your fear that prevents your ability to make and meet dental appointments, sedation dentistry can help in so many ways. Overcoming your fears of being in the dentist's chair becomes easier with sedation dentistry for many reasons. You will be more relaxed, even sedated, during the entire procedure so much so that your anxiety will not get the better of you, so to speak. You will have less anxiety about seeing the needle and being injected with it as well as having your teeth cleaned, extracted, and aligned, among other services provided in sedation dentistry. Expanding Your Choices With sedation dentistry, your choices in dental procedures will increase - you are now more willing to undergo procedures that you otherwise will not consent to if not for the persuasive tactics of your sedation dentist. For example, you are now more open to the idea of undergoing tooth extraction because of the great idea of being under sedation while your sedation dentist carries out the procedure. Think of it: Instead of spending several frustrating hours convincing, dragging, and pinning down on the dentist's chair an unwilling patient with special needs, the sedation dentist can administer the sedative and, within minutes, the patient will be relaxed and ready for the procedure. Of course, sedation dentistry is not suitable for all individuals because of the risks involved. You must discuss your suitability for it with a qualified sedation dentist just to be on the safe side; if you are not qualified for the procedure, you can discuss your other options. In sedation dentistry itself, you have many choices in the level of sedation for each procedure, namely:
Indeed, sedation dentistry is an option that should be considered even by relatively healthy individuals in managing their dental health. Sedation dentistry, also known as sleep dentistry, is a relatively new specialisation in dentistry but its importance in the maintenance of dental health among children, adults and elderly patients cannot be underestimated. For one thing, individuals with extreme fears regarding needles – or even just the thought of sitting on the dentist’s chair –will benefit from it mainly because of their level of unconsciousness during the procedure itself. For another thing, dentists will have an easier time performing the required procedure with the patient in a sedated state. Patient and dentist benefit from sleep dentistry in so many ways! But as with all aspects of life where health is concerned, knowledge is empowerment so it pays to be informed about sedation dentistry. Specialised Branch Sleep dentistry is a specialised branch of dentistry requiring postgraduate education and advanced training. An aspiring sedation dentist must then comply with the requirements set by the state for the profession as well as the requirements of industry organizations like the Australian Society of Dental Anaesthesiology; the latter caters to the special needs of sedation dentists in the administration of sedatives as well as in pain control and patient anxiety management. Tip: Ask for the dentist’s credentials in sedation dentistry before consenting to any procedure requiring the use of sedatives administered in any manner. Keep in mind that even the safest sedatives have side effects when administered inappropriately. Benefits of Sedation Why are the services of the best sedation dentist in, say, Melbourne popular? Because of the many benefits of sedation dentistry including the following: • Increased comfort and relaxation coupled with lessened pain sensations for the patient • Better control over the gag reflex and movement of the patient • Little or no memory of the treatment, thus, lessening the mental trauma from dental visits • Lesser physical trauma since the dentist can perform his work as planned without the constant movement from • the patient • Lesser time spent on the procedure and, hence, lesser number of visits required It is, indeed, a win-win solution! Preparation for Sedation Before coming in to your appointment, you must adopt a few preparatory measures to ensure that the procedure goes as planned. Safety precautions in sedation dentistry include: • Avoid eating and drinking any food and beverage after midnight on the day of your surgery. (If your surgery is scheduled at 9AM, don’t eat and drink anything starting at 12:01 AM) If you must take your regular medications with the consent of your dentist – many medications can interact with sedatives – just do so with a small sip of water. • Bring a container in which to place dentures, partial plates or removable bridge works while at the dental clinic. Remove your contact lenses, if advised by your dentist, too. Most important, you should have a relative or a friend by your side on the day of your sedation dentistry procedure. Keep in mind that you are not allowed to drive yourself because of the aftereffects of the sedative used. Sedative Administration Depending on the sedative used, its administration can come in three forms, namely: (Note: Only a professional trained in sedation dentistry should administer these sedatives) • Oral conscious sedation. The oral sedative will relieve your stress and anxiety about the procedure although you will still be conscious during the entire time. In fact, you will still be able to follow the dentist’s instructions. • Inhalation sedation. The main sedative used is nitrous oxide (laughing gas), which dentists prefer because of its fast effect on the patient but the recovery time is just as fast. • Intravenous (IV) sedation. This involves the injection of the sedative directly into your mainstream. When you are sedated, your sedation dentist will then start on the planned dental procedure – and that is why sedation dentistry is welcome news for those who want to have little to no memory of an otherwise traumatic procedure for some. |
AuthorDr Ved Berani, a second generation dentist, shows great pride in his work, for helping everyone achieve a great smile. Archives
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