Most dental patients need a regular cleaning or possibly root canals. But several patients fear visiting the dentist. Some people believe that the treatment will be worse than their toothache, they become anxious and just choose not to get the required treatment.
Dental procedures aren’t as painful as people think, if needed, medication may also be prescribed to help relieve any discomfort. One of these is sleep dentistry, which is used in various dental procedures, they sedate the patient for long procedures to lessen their fear.
What is a sleep dentist?
Sleep dentistry is a relaxing method used by skilled dentists on anxious patients. It uses general anesthesia to calm the patients and helps the dentist to work efficiently without worrying about disturbing the patient. During sleep dentistry, the patient is totally asleep while the procedure takes place.
Dentists can help people who need basic oral health checkups. Individuals may think that these specialists only treat major gum and tooth issues, contrary to that, a sleep dentist not just examines the mouth but also checks how oral issues affect the patient’s ability to sleep. They will assess the patient’s condition and may recommend a mouthguard or similar device to help with sleep apnea.
A sleep dentist is a dental professional who specializes in the treatment of sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and a range of other health problems.
Sleep dentists work with patients to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. They may use a range of treatments, including oral appliances, such as a mandibular advancement device (MAD), which is a type of mouthguard that helps to keep the airway open during sleep. Sleep dentists may also work with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors and sleep specialists, to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for patients with sleep disorders.
Sleep dentistry treats a wide range of sleep disorders with dental equipment. If you can relate to any of the mentioned lists below, visit a sleep dentist.
What happens in sleep dentistry?
Sleep dentistry is a dental specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and a range of other health problems.
If you are seeking treatment for a sleep disorder, you may be referred to a sleep dentist. During your appointment, the sleep dentist will ask you questions about your sleep patterns and any symptoms you have been experiencing. They may also perform a physical examination and may recommend that you undergo a sleep study to further evaluate your sleep patterns.
Based on the results of the examination and any sleep studies, the sleep dentist will develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs. This may involve the use of oral appliances, such as a mandibular advancement device (MAD), which is a type of mouthguard that helps to keep the airway open during sleep. The sleep dentist may also work with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors and sleep specialists, to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
If you are experiencing problems with sleep or think you may have a sleep disorder, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional. They can help you understand your symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment options.
- Anxiety during a dental visit. Anxiety is common during dental visits. Discomfort during treatment can increase the risk of complications. Anxiety is manageable for some, but for some patients, dental phobia is crippling. Fear can cause panic during the dental treatment process; it can lead to dental trauma and lower treatment quality. With sedation, you can control your anxiety and be more comfortable during the most difficult dental procedures.
- Have a bad gag reflex. If you have a sensitive gag reflex, dental exams and procedures may be painful. When anything is put in your mouth, you will feel the urge to choke. Simple procedures like dental impressions may become intolerable. Oral and intravenous sedatives and nitrous oxide can help patients relax during treatment. The drug will temporarily stop gagging, and your natural reaction to oral intrusion won’t be distracting. This reduces the risk of complications.
- Want a lot of dental work done at once. Patients who squirm and fidget often take longer to get dental work done. Even if anesthesia is injected into the gums to suppress pain, dentists’ scary tools can be unsettling. Even when there’s no pain, they still resist during the process. The constant movement and nervousness will hinder the efficiency of the procedures. Sleep dentistry settles for sedation to help patients relax and prevent anxiety, it helps not only the patient but the dentist as well, for them to finish the procedure faster and effectively without distractions.
- If you want to forget the unpleasant dental treatment. Some patients desire to forget the treatment memories done during the dental procedure. After all, many people get dental phobia even from a single bad experience from a dental visit. The mental trauma lingers, causing oral health aversion. Less trauma and fewer mental scarring memories can happen with sedation. In short, anterograde amnesia is possible, this procedure uses the technique of twilight anesthesia. During the procedure, the dentist will use a small dose of general anesthesia to prevent new memories from forming, thus, no traumatic memories of the treatment would remain.
These are just a few reasons why people choose sleep dentistry. If there’s anything else that irritates you about dental procedures, talk to your dentist about sedation dentistry.
Adults should avoid sleep dentistry if they are pregnant or have had an allergic reaction to sedatives or anesthesia. The more naturally you can overcome your dental phobia, the better. Otherwise, you should consider sleep dentistry to help you overcome your dental phobia.
Points to Remember
- Talk to your dentist about your sleep dentistry options
- Ask about the cost to avoid later confusion
- Examine your medical history with the dentist to avoid complications
- You may get a form outlining the procedure’s risks. Please read it thoroughly and discuss any concerns with your dentist prior to treatment
- Assure you have a safe ride home. Being accompanied for 6 hours after the dental treatment is advised.
What are the 3 types of sedation?
There are several types of sedation that can be used for various medical procedures. Here are three common types of sedation:
Minimal sedation: Minimal sedation, also known as “conscious sedation,” is a type of sedation in which the patient is awake but relaxed and may have some memory loss. This type of sedation is often used for procedures that do not require a lot of pain management, such as some minor surgeries or diagnostic tests.
Moderate sedation: Moderate sedation, also known as “conscious sedation,” is a type of sedation in which the patient is awake but may not be able to speak or remember much about the procedure. This type of sedation is often used for procedures that require more pain management, such as some minor surgeries or procedures involving moderate discomfort.
Deep sedation: Deep sedation is a type of sedation in which the patient is not fully awake and may not be able to speak or respond to stimuli. This type of sedation is often used for procedures that require a lot of pain management, such as major surgeries.
The specific type of sedation used for a particular procedure will depend on the needs of the patient and the nature of the procedure. It is important to discuss the benefits and risks of different types of sedation with a healthcare professional before making a decision.
Is sleep dentistry safe?
Sleep dentistry, also known as dental sleep medicine, is a specialty that focuses on the treatment of sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and a range of other health problems.
Sleep dentistry can be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with sleep disorders, particularly when used in conjunction with other treatments, such as lifestyle changes or the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. However, as with any medical treatment, there are potential risks and side effects associated with sleep dentistry.
The use of oral appliances, such as mandibular advancement devices (MADs), which are commonly used in sleep dentistry, can sometimes cause side effects, such as tooth discomfort, jaw pain, and changes in speech. These side effects are usually temporary and can be managed with the help of a sleep dentist.
It is important to discuss the potential risks and benefits of sleep dentistry with a healthcare professional before starting treatment. They can help you understand the potential side effects and recommend the best treatment options for your specific needs and circumstances.
Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?
The use of sedation during dental procedures is designed to help patients feel more relaxed and comfortable. The specific type of sedation used and the specific procedure being performed will determine the level of pain relief provided and the likelihood of experiencing pain.
With minimal sedation, also known as “conscious sedation,” patients are awake but may feel relaxed and have some memory loss. This type of sedation is often used for procedures that do not require a lot of pain management, such as some minor surgeries or diagnostic tests.
With moderate sedation, also known as “conscious sedation,” patients are awake but may not be able to speak or remember much about the procedure. This type of sedation is often used for procedures that require more pain management, such as some minor surgeries or procedures involving moderate discomfort.
With deep sedation, patients are not fully awake and may not be able to speak or respond to stimuli. This type of sedation is often used for procedures that require a lot of pain management, such as major surgeries.
It is important to discuss the specific type of sedation and the level of pain relief it provides with your healthcare professional before undergoing a procedure. They can help you understand what to expect and recommend the best treatment options for your specific needs and circumstances.
Conclusion
Dental procedures can cause you to worry, anxiety, and fear. You should not avoid dental treatment or therapy due to a debilitating phobia. If you’re afraid of the dentist, inquire about sleep dentistry.
If you are experiencing problems with sleep or think you may have a sleep disorder, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional. They can help you understand your symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment options.
As previously said, sleep dentistry is a revolutionary technique to address dental phobia. In any case, you should know how it works for you and learn everything about the procedure through your dentist on your next dental visit.
