Although there have been many improvements made to the dental profession there are still many people who are anxious or fearful of visiting a dentist. There are also people who have real problems in dealing with pain of any sort. For these patients the importance of sleep dentistry cannot be over emphasised. There is a host of valid reasons why a dentist will turn to sleep dentistry and when he or she does the patient is given medication that will promote relaxation.
There are different levels of sedation; the one the dentist chooses is all based on the patient. The mildest form is simply a mild sedative that is taken orally prior to the treatment, this type of sedative calms the nerves, making the appointment more comfortable and stress free. There are however, many dental patients who are extremely anxious about dental work and need medications which make them considerably less conscious and aware of what is happening to them and around them.
The most aggressive form of sleep dentistry is when the patient is given general anaesthesia. In this case the patient may need assistance with breathing; general anaesthesia is almost exclusively reserved for very aggressive oral surgery. Between mild sedation and general anaesthesia lie other forms of sedation. The dentist has sedatives at his or her disposal that can be administered orally, through inhalation or administered intravenously. Although these forms of sedation do not induce deep sleep, the patient will not be aware of their surroundings and as they are in a dream-like state they really pay no attention to what is happening around them. The importance of sleep dentistry would not be complete without noting that once the dental procedure has been completed, the patient has little or no recollection of what happened; this is extremely important to the future mindset of the patient when it comes time for the next appointment.
Many dental patients see sleep dentistry as the perfect way to get through lengthy procedures without pain or tension. There are people who, at the slightest hint of pain will involuntarily jerk or flinch, sleep dentistry is an excellent solution for these types of patients as well. For patients who are about to undergo extensive and time consuming procedures such as a root canal or the setting of a crown, sleep dentistry helps the patient as well as the dentist get through the procedure in a single sitting.
Never fear discussing your fear and anxiety with your dentist, dentists are very aware of these phobias and are happier when their patient is calm.
Your dentist knows the importance of sleep dentistry. If you are fearful of a dental appointment or are overly anxious then sleep dentistry is the ideal solution. Discuss your fears with Dr, James Kim at Hills Dental care.
