Fear of going to the dentist causes havoc with your teeth. This fact is amply testified by the large number of people who have to get their teeth extracted at a young age. For those who avoid going to the dentist due to the pain and discomfort associated with the experience, it is literally a dream come true. A relaxed state of mind without feeling any of the usual sights and sounds typical of the dentists’ chair and waking up with an excellent smile is what sleep dentistry is all about.
What is sleep dentistry
Sleep dentistry or sedation dentistry as it is also known is done using anesthetics administered by way of an IV drip. The procedure requires in-depth skill and experience on the part of the dentist as well as proper equipment. Sedation dentistry is often used during procedures where the treatment session could take several hours.
A versatile option
Sleep dentistry enables you to get any dental work done whether it’s a root canal treatment, a cosmetic dentistry procedure or getting your braces fixed. The process has helped several people to avoid further damage to their teeth and overall health due to ignoring their dental well being. Yes, current research has thrown up startling facts about the relation of poor dental health with other major health issues notably cardiovascular disease.
Who all can benefit from it
Patients who feel anxious of visiting the dentist or for people with Down’s syndrome, Parkinson disease and Alzheimer, sleep dentistry provides good results. Patients can comfortably get the treatment done without getting stressed about it.
Sleep dentistry is an option for
• Children and adults who feel anxious about visiting the dentist
• Disabled patients
• Lengthy dental procedures like root canals and cosmetic dentistry
• Patients with gag reflexes
Sleep Dentistry has proven to be effective in alleviating patient discomfort levels and has made the dental experience a pleasant one. Busy people have also benefited from the procedure. Dental procedures that are done in several treatment sessions can be covered in one long sitting.
What is to be kept in mind
Sleep dentistry is only used by dentists with training and experience along with special certification by the state dental board. Also a common myth is that patients are sound asleep during the procedure. Often patients are in a semi drowsy state and generally do not remember anything about the experience.
Dentists generally decide the type of anesthetic to be administered depending on the nature of treatment as well as the comfort level of the patient. Not all patients require IV sedation and for shorter, less complicated procedures dentists use oral sedatives or nitrous oxide better known as laughing gas.