How Does Sleep Dentistry Work?

Fear of the dentist is a reality for many people. And this fear is understandable. When a person has to visit the dentist, they are putting themselves in a very vulnerable position. And you know that your mouth is extremely sensitive. For these reasons, there are some people who would rather endure the agony of having a toothache than actually walk into the dentist office. For people who are in this situation, sleep dentistry may be the trick. This can be used for any type of procedure that you need. It can be used when you need to have a root canal done or for something as simple as having your teeth cleaned. It can remove your anxiety and allow you to get the oral health care that you need.

Basically, sedation dentistry is where medication is used to help you feel relaxed as the procedure is being performed. Sedation dentistry is often referred to as sleep dentistry, although in most cases, the patient does not actually get put to sleep unless the procedure that they are experiencing requires them to be under general anesthesia.

Sedation dentistry is an exact science. This means that it can be tailored to meet your level of fear. For example, if you are only mildly nervous, you might receive minimal sedation. This means that you are going to be relaxed, but completely awake and focused during the procedure. Or you may have the option of moderate sedation. With moderate sedation, you’re still going to be awake, but you’re not going to have the same mental clarity that you would have with mild sedation.

Sleep dentistry comes in many forms. You might have inhaled minimal sedation. Most people know this treatment for its nickname laughing gas. During this treatment, nitrous oxide and oxygen are put over your nose. Oral sedation is where you’re going to be given a pill before your procedure is carried out. And then you have the option of IV sedation. This is where the sedation drug is introduced through your veins.

During a consultation at Cascades Center for Dental Health in Sterling, you can learn more about your options regarding sedation and sleep dentistry at our office. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and get started!