Sleep Dentistry or Twilight Dentistry

Most people in the world fear visiting the dentist. Usually, this fear and anxiety stem from the dentist using needles or an unpleasant previous experience. This situation usually causes people to avoid going to the dentist altogether, despite being in pain.

However,sleep dentistry is one such method that can fill this gap. Under this practice, patients have an intravenous anaesthetic which significantly reduces the associated anxiety and discomfort.

A] What is sleep dentistry?

Iv sedation dentistry, widely known as sleep dentistry or twilight dentistry, is a conscious sedation procedure. Intravenous (Iv) sedation means the patient undertaking this will be sedated through an IV  anaesthetic in the dental clinic. This makes the patient feel very relaxed and there is a high chance that the patient will not remember much of the treatment that was carried out. However, you have to keep in mind that not all dentists are trained to administer deep IV sedation. So, this will depend on the dentist you are visiting. Some dentists will administer the drug for minimal sedation.  Minimal sedations is a state that induces relaxation and a sleep-like form. This ensures that the patient doesn’t feel anxiety or stress, making the procedure go smoothly.

Sedation doesn’t alleviate pain but makes the patient’s memory foggy. They will not remember anything right after the procedure is done. It prompts dentists and doctors to request people bring a bystander who can safely take them home.

Twilight sedation helps people with dental fear and anxiety. However, to ensure the maximum benefits of this procedure, patients need to communicate their feelings to the dentist.

Once the twilight sedation dentistry expert understands what you experience while undergoing treatment, they will choose a particular level ofdental sedation for you. There are several ways to alleviate dental anxiety and fear so that successful dental treatment is carried out.

They are as follows :

Oral sedation

In oral sedation, patients are prescribed a pill an hour before the operation.

This calms the patient before the procedure so that they are able to cope with the dental procedure.

Inhalation sedation

This involves the inhalation of nitrous oxide gas which is commonly called the happy gas.

Inhalation Sedation works well for most patients. The patient feels very relaxed while having the dental treatment done and the patient can drive himself home without any escort.

Conscious sedation

Conscious sedation ortwilight sedationputs the patient in a sleep-induced state. This is done with the introduction of an intravenous anaesthetic agent by a registered dental sedationist. For the majority of them,the patient will have no memory of the procedure. This level of sedation takes around 24 hours to wear off after treatment. Patients have to fit in certain criteria to have twilight sedation and need an escort todrive them home.

Depending on the level of anxiety and the overall health of the patient and the type of dental treatment required, we can advise what type of anxiety management will work best for you. We encourage you to visit our sedation dentistry

Who should opt for sleep dentistry?

The twilight dentistryoption is suitable for the following groups of people:

• An overanxious and apprehensive person with a fear of needles.
• Phobia relating to the dental procedures
• Highly sensitive gag reflex
• Extreme sensitivity in teeth
• Claustrophobia memories for people on chairs.
• Sensitivity to local anaesthesia decreases.
• Challenging to control movements
• Physical, cognitive, and behavioural special needs

To find out if you are a suitable candidate for having twilight sedation, please call and discuss your options with the best dentist in sunshine coast.