If the thought of visiting the dentist causes your palms to sweat and makes you feel sick to your stomach, you’re not alone. Dental anxiety is real, and it can trigger real fear and anxiety. Not only that, but putting off dental care causes shame and embarrassment; many people are afraid they’ll be judged or turned away if they have oral health issues.
Our dental team believes that everyone deserves quality dental care in a comfortable setting; that’s why we offer sleep dentistry to our patients with dental anxiety, pain sensitivity or other concerns.
Sleep dentistry isn’t just for complex dental procedures. We work closely with Sleep Dentistry Services to customise a treatment plan that aims to restore your oral health. Let’s take a deep dive into pain-free dental care in Pascoe Vale and beyond.
What Is Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep dentistry, also known as general anaesthesia dentistry, is an innovative way for you to experience a deep, restful sleep during your dental treatment. An experienced senior anaesthetist from Sleep Dentistry Services will administer medication through an intravenous (IV) line. This medication will put you into a dreamlike state; you’ll be completely unconscious and unaware of what’s happening.
While the sleep anaesthetist and nurse focus on keeping you comfortable, we’ll focus on providing the dental care you need. You’ll drift off to sleep, and once your procedure is complete, you’ll wake up. It’s as simple as that.
Sleep dentistry doesn’t require a hospital stay, and the recovery is safe and straightforward, making it a popular option for many people.
Who Can Benefit from Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep dentistry works well in many situations. We recommend sleep dentistry in the following instances:
- Dental anxiety — If you have moderate to severe dental anxiety, sleep dentistry can allow you to get the care you need without worry.
- Strong gag reflex — A strong gag reflex makes dental procedures difficult for the dentist and uncomfortable for you. Sleep dentistry can solve both of those issues.
- Extensive treatment — When you require multiple dental treatments in a single visit, sleep dentistry makes it possible. We can place multiple fillings, perform numerous extractions or add dental implants without requiring multiple visits to our clinic.
- Sensitivity issues — If you have extremely sensitive teeth or have a difficult time getting numb with local anaesthesia, sleep dentistry helps you remain comfortable and calm during treatment.
- Special needs — For patients with special needs, dental treatments can be especially challenging. If you have a disability, you can receive efficient, comfortable care with sleep dentistry.
- Fear of needles — Many people have a fear of needles, making local anaesthetics difficult for them to tolerate. If this sounds like you, sleep dentistry is a viable option.
- Past negative experiences — Did you have a negative dental experience when you were younger? Unfortunately, this keeps many people from getting the care they need. With sleep dentistry, you can leave the past behind and focus on your future smile.
What’s The Procedure Like?
At Lumino Smiles, our goal is to provide a safe, comfortable dental experience for every patient. Working closely with Sleep Dentistry Services makes this possible.
Here’s what to expect if you choose sleep dentistry:
- Initial consultation — The first step involves a visit to our Pascoe Vale dental clinic. During this consultation, we’ll go over your medical history and discuss your dental concerns. We’ll perform a comprehensive dental exam and take any necessary x-rays to determine what treatments you’ll need. We’ll also discuss sleep dentistry with you and address any questions you may have.
- Treatment planning — Next, we’ll customise a treatment plan for your unique needs. We’ll arrange your procedures and coordinate with the sedation team at Sleep Dentistry Services. If possible, we’ll complete your treatment in one visit, saving you time and money.
- Procedure day — On the day of your procedure, you’ll arrive at our dental clinic in comfortable clothing. We’ll get you settled into a treatment room, and the anaesthetist will administer the IV sedation. They will monitor your vital signs the entire time, checking your heart rate and blood pressure. Once you’re asleep, we’ll complete your dental treatment.
- Aftercare and discharge — It will take a little time for your sedation to wear off, but once it does, you’ll rest in your treatment room until it’s time to go home. Someone will have to drive you home, and they should stay with you for the rest of the day.
What’s the Recovery Like?
Before you leave our dental clinic, we’ll provide detailed instructions on caring for your teeth and gums when you get home. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call us for more information.
Recovering from the anaesthetic takes a little time, so it’s best to go home and stay home for the remainder of the day. You should also avoid driving or operating heavy machinery after undergoing sleep dentistry.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- You may feel drowsy or groggy for several hours after your procedure. This is entirely normal. Go home and take a nap or rest.
- You will probably have limited or no memory of your dental visit. This is one of the most significant benefits of sleep dentistry.
- You may return to normal activities the day after your dental treatment, as long as you’re feeling fine and your dental treatment wasn’t too extensive. Our team will guide you on the best course of action for your treatment plan.
Interested in Sleep Dentistry in Pascoe Vale, VIC?
If you’d like to learn more about how sleep dentistry in Pascoe Vale can help you get the dental care you deserve without the worry associated with dental anxiety, our experienced dental team will happily assist you.
At Lumino Smiles, we’ll do whatever we can to ensure you can achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. So, if you live in Pascoe Vale or the surrounding communities of Hadfield or Gladroy, we welcome your call.
We treat patients of all ages, so you can call us on (03) 9300 1061 to book an appointment for you and your entire family.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.