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What Is Sedation or Sleep Dentistry?

Intraveneous (IV) Sedation, or Sleep Dentistry is a rather new dental technique that is performed by specially trained professionals known as sedation dentists. The technical definition of sleep dentistry is the use of anesthesia during dental treatment to allow a patient to sink into a state of deep relaxation. With sleep dentistry the patient can be put in either a conscious sedative sleep state or an unconscious sedative sleep state. With sedation dentistry you can visit your dentist with peace of mind of knowing that it will be a relaxed, pain-free, and anxiety-free visit. If you have long been someone that either fears the pain of dental work or you don't like having personal space invaded then it might be time for you to consider a sleep dentist.

How Does Sleep Dentistry Work?

With sleep dentistry usually patients will be given some type of medication in advance by their sedation dentist and be instructed to take it before their visit. In this case it will require the patient to have someone else take them to the dental office. The medication that they are given should not put them to sleep but should make them quite drowsy.

Are Patients Unconscious During Sleep Dentistry?

Generally patients are not unconscious during sleep dentistry. There are cases where a procedure may require an unconscious or deep sedative state but these are quite rare. In most cases the patient is actually put in a physical state of extreme relaxation where they doze in and out of being awake. Their sleep state is generally just deep enough that they don't realize the procedure is taking place and they wake up with little or no memory of it.

Is Intravenous (IV) Sedation Safe?

Yes! The use of intravenous sedation in dentistry has a commendable record of safety due to the advanced training of the doctors and their commitment to your overall health.  It is, however important to advise your dentist or doctor of all medications that you take as well as any changes in your health since your last visit.

A special permit is required to administer intravenous medications along with the ability to handle emergency situations as well as having specific emergency medications and equipment on hand is also mandatory.

When is Sleep Dentistry Generally Used?

Sleep dentistry is most often used in situations where a patient requires a long or typically painful procedure. It is also often used with patients that experience dental phobia. People with a dental phobia or dental anxiety usually either have a natural fear of the dentist or experienced some type of traumatic event with a dentist while they were a child. Sleep dentistry is also used quite often with children since they can be easily frightened and usually have a hard time sitting still for an extended period of time. In most areas you can find a special pediatric sedation dentist for your child.

How Is The Medication Administered?

Sedative medications are typically given intraveneously.  Since the effects are so rapid, by this means of administration, the dentist or doctor can precisely give the correct amount of sedation to make you feel relaxed and comfortable. If more sedation is needed during the procedure, it may be administered via the intraveneous line.

Currently there are four different types of dental sedation commonly used:

ORAL SEDATIVES -

Generally these are the pills that are given to patients to take shortly before they arrive for their dental work. These pills are usually taken about an hour before the scheduled appointment and they help the patient get into an extremely relaxed yet conscious state.  

NITROUS OXIDE -

a.k.a. Laughing gas, is used by a sedation dentist to again help put the patient in an extremely relaxed state. It is another form of conscious dentistry

INTRAVENOUS (IV) -

With Intravenous sedation the medication will be delivered directly to your bloodstream resulting in the quick onset of a relaxed state. Intravenous sedatives help patients to get into such a relaxed state that they often do not remember the procedure but at the same time are still able to respond to requests from their dentist.

GENERAL ANESTHESIA -

Dental sedation that allows a patient to be unconscious. This form of dental sedation is rare and is only used in cases of extreme dental phobia or when an extremely complex procedure is being performed.