Sleep Dentistry
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"Sleep Dentistry" or sedation dentistry is the use of medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. Sedations gives patients the ability to walk into the dental office without fear or anxiety to receive the dental care they've been putting off for years, or even their entire life.
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Can You Really Relax in the Dentist’s Chair?
The answer is, yes. Many smiles are often neglected due to fear, anxiety, stress, or discomfort in the dental chair. Having the ability to fall asleep and have years worth of dental work completed in one session helps alleviate that anxiety, stress, and discomfort because there is no pain, noises, or uncomfortable experiences to go through.
"We Fix Your Teeth, While You Sleep."
We understand your fears. Many of our patients have not seen a dentist for years. With our Board Certified Anesthesiologist and team of registered nurses, you can choose any level of sleep and relaxation you desire. Patients may choose sedation dentistry for a variety of reasons. Some patients have a bad gag reflex, others get claustrophobic. Some patients have very sensitive teeth. Other patients have had bad experiences in the past which makes them fearful to go again. That is why we fix your teeth, while you sleep . . . so we can provide a relaxing experience for you to get the care you need.
Some people may have no fear at all, and still choose "Sleep Dentistry" because they want to achieve a new smile and accomplish years of worth of dental work in one setting. So while sedation is often used for those with a fear of dentists, anyone can benefit from the relaxation. If you are one who would rather live in pain than go to the dentist, then sedation might be the option for you.
Can Any Dentist Perform Sedation?
Most dentists can administer minimal sedation (such as nitrous oxide or pills). An increasing number of dentists can give moderate sedation. However, only a small percentage of dentists who have completed the accreditation program in Moderate IV Sedation. Some dentists even use a Board Certified Anesthesiologists, who is specially trained to give all levels of sedation and anesthesia to both children and adults. Each state’s dental board carefully regulates the use of sedation techniques. Many states require dentists to hold permits in order to perform sedation.
What Types of Sedation Are Used in Dentistry?
How Safe Is Sedation Dentistry?
Safety should be number one when considering going to sleep to have dental work completed. At Infinity, we have a team of Board Certified Anesthesiologists who are specialized medical doctors, whom actively oversee every sedation. Having this as a requirement for all Infinity sedation procedures provides you the highest standard of care and safety available.
While there is always a risk in getting anesthesia, it is usually safe when given by experienced dentists. However, certain people, such as those who are obese or who have obstructive sleep apnea, should talk to their doctor before having sedation. That's because they are more likely to develop complications from the anesthesia.
It's important to make sure that your dentist is trained and qualified to administer the type of sedation you will be receiving. You should make sure the following things are done:
Rai, K, Hegde, A, and Goel, K. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry,2007; vol 32: pp 1-4.
American Dental Association: “Policy Statement: The Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists.”
Joel M. Weaver, DDS, PhD, dentist anesthesiologist; emeritus professor, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University; spokesman, American Dental Association.
American Dental Association: “Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and Anesthesia by Dentists.”
WebMD.com: "Sedation Dentistry: Can You Really Relax in the Dentist's Chair"; Reviewed by Michael Friedman, DDS on January 15, 2018
The answer is, yes. Many smiles are often neglected due to fear, anxiety, stress, or discomfort in the dental chair. Having the ability to fall asleep and have years worth of dental work completed in one session helps alleviate that anxiety, stress, and discomfort because there is no pain, noises, or uncomfortable experiences to go through.
"We Fix Your Teeth, While You Sleep."
We understand your fears. Many of our patients have not seen a dentist for years. With our Board Certified Anesthesiologist and team of registered nurses, you can choose any level of sleep and relaxation you desire. Patients may choose sedation dentistry for a variety of reasons. Some patients have a bad gag reflex, others get claustrophobic. Some patients have very sensitive teeth. Other patients have had bad experiences in the past which makes them fearful to go again. That is why we fix your teeth, while you sleep . . . so we can provide a relaxing experience for you to get the care you need.
Some people may have no fear at all, and still choose "Sleep Dentistry" because they want to achieve a new smile and accomplish years of worth of dental work in one setting. So while sedation is often used for those with a fear of dentists, anyone can benefit from the relaxation. If you are one who would rather live in pain than go to the dentist, then sedation might be the option for you.
Can Any Dentist Perform Sedation?
Most dentists can administer minimal sedation (such as nitrous oxide or pills). An increasing number of dentists can give moderate sedation. However, only a small percentage of dentists who have completed the accreditation program in Moderate IV Sedation. Some dentists even use a Board Certified Anesthesiologists, who is specially trained to give all levels of sedation and anesthesia to both children and adults. Each state’s dental board carefully regulates the use of sedation techniques. Many states require dentists to hold permits in order to perform sedation.
What Types of Sedation Are Used in Dentistry?
- Inhaled Minimal Sedation - You are awake, but relaxed. You breathe nitrous oxide (otherwise known as “laughing gas”) combined with oxygen through a mask that’s placed over your nose. The gas helps you relax. Your dentist can control the amount of sedation you receive, and the gas tends to wear off quickly. This is the only form of sedation where you may be able to drive yourself home after the procedure.
- Oral Sedation - Depending on the total dose given, oral sedation can range from minimal to moderate. For minimal sedation, you take a pill. Typically, the pill is Halcion, which is a member of the same drug family as Valium, and it’s usually taken about an hour before the procedure. The pill will make you drowsy, although you’ll still be awake. A larger dose may be given to produce moderate sedation. This is the type of anesthesia most commonly associated with sedation dentistry. Some people become groggy enough from moderate oral sedation to actually fall asleep during the procedure. They usually can, though, be awakened with a gentle shake.
- Moderate IV Sedation - You receive the sedative drug through a vein, so it goes to work more quickly. This method allows the dentist to continually adjust the level of sedation.
How Safe Is Sedation Dentistry?
Safety should be number one when considering going to sleep to have dental work completed. At Infinity, we have a team of Board Certified Anesthesiologists who are specialized medical doctors, whom actively oversee every sedation. Having this as a requirement for all Infinity sedation procedures provides you the highest standard of care and safety available.
While there is always a risk in getting anesthesia, it is usually safe when given by experienced dentists. However, certain people, such as those who are obese or who have obstructive sleep apnea, should talk to their doctor before having sedation. That's because they are more likely to develop complications from the anesthesia.
It's important to make sure that your dentist is trained and qualified to administer the type of sedation you will be receiving. You should make sure the following things are done:
- Before the procedure, your dentist should go over your medical history. Your dentist should also determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for sedation and ask about any medications you're currently taking.
- You should ask what dose of the sedative is appropriate for your age and health. You should also ask whether it is within the dose recommended by the FDA.
- It's important to find out how much training the dentist has and how many procedures he or she has performed using sedation. The more procedures the dentist has performed, the better.
- You should receive a form detailing the risks of the procedure. Go over it carefully with your dentist. Ask questions if you're unclear on any of the wording.
- The dentist should monitor your vital signs during the procedure following the American Dental Association's guidelines. The dentist should also have oxygen (artificial ventilation) and drugs that reverse the effects of sedation on hand in case you need them.
Rai, K, Hegde, A, and Goel, K. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry,2007; vol 32: pp 1-4.
American Dental Association: “Policy Statement: The Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists.”
Joel M. Weaver, DDS, PhD, dentist anesthesiologist; emeritus professor, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University; spokesman, American Dental Association.
American Dental Association: “Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and Anesthesia by Dentists.”
WebMD.com: "Sedation Dentistry: Can You Really Relax in the Dentist's Chair"; Reviewed by Michael Friedman, DDS on January 15, 2018
