Is sleep dentistry safe?
Go to sleep and wake up smiling with sedation dentistry
Visiting the dentist makes shoulders tense and stomachs drop. Many people would rather endure the agony of a toothache than visit the dentist. But like taxes, visiting the dentist is a pain we can’t avoid.
This is a painful reality for those suffering from dental fear. However, with sleep dentistry, the visit doesn’t have to be painful—or scary. From root canal procedures to cosmetic dentistry, it can be completely comfortable and entirely painless.
So what exactly is sleep dentistry? Also known as sleep sedation, it uses general anaesthesia to place patients in an unconscious state for their treatment. During the dental procedure, patients won’t feel, see, hear, or remember anything. You’ll go to sleep and wake up smiling.
Ready to go to sleep and wake up smiling? The Point Dental specialise in sleep dentistry.
Can sleep dentistry help you?
Essentially, sleep dentistry is for anyone who can’t stand sitting in the dentist’s chair. If you know you should visit the dentist, but put off your appointment, you may be an ideal candidate for sleep dentistry. Specifically, it is suitable for anyone:
- Suffering dental fear
- Scared of needles or drills
- With previous traumatic dental experiences
- With a strong gag reflex
- Who fidgets, especially children
- Requiring multiple dental procedures and lengthy appointments
Beyond dental fear, sleep sedation is also growing in popularity among all patients because:
- You can save time by having several dental treatments completed in one session
- It makes all invasive procedures comfortable
- The safety standards are so high
However, while the safety standards are excellent, let’s address the minimal risks now.
Is sleep dentistry safe? What are the risks?
As with any procedure that requires an anaesthetic, such as having your wisdom teeth removed, there are associated risks such as nausea, feeling cold, dizziness, stroke, and heart attack. However, any serious risks are negligible.
Anaesthesiologists constantly monitor your blood pressure and use a pulse oximeter to ensure you’re receiving the optimal amount of oxygen. Furthermore, when a patient has multiple dental procedures in one sitting, the anaesthetist can decrease sedation levels for less invasive procedures like a dental filling.
With that being said, we’re always minimising any risks. Before any session, we cover your:
- Medical history, including any pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, heart problems, or obstructive sleep apnoea
- Surgical history
- Any allergies to medications or foods
- Drugs you may be taking, including cigarettes and alcohol
During the procedure, your highly trained specialist anaesthetist will ensure that:
- Oxygen is continuously supplied to your lungs
- Your airway is fully protected from foreign material
- You remain immobile throughout the procedure
With complete knowledge of your dental needs and medical information, we determine the optimal sedation level for your procedure to make sure you’re safe and comfortable.
Above all, we encourage you to consider your health risks in their entirety. Are there oral health risks like an infection you may suffer if you avoid a dental procedure? When the minimal risks of sleep dentistry are weighed against the consequences of inaction, sleep dentistry is safer still.
When you meet with one of our sleep dentists, they will take their time to address any of your concerns and walk you through the process. Your safety and comfort are our priority.
Will the procedure be painful or cause discomfort?
No. Absolutely not—that’s why so many people are visiting sleep dentists. Not only is the physical pain gone during the procedure, so is the associated anxiety.
However, after the procedure, you may experience the usual slight discomfort as it heals. While this is part of any dental procedure, our sleep dentistry team closely manage your recovery so you experience minimal discomfort.
Want more info about sleep dentistry?
With highly trained specialist anaesthetists and our on-site General Anaesthetic Facility, The Point Dental are proud to help our patients overcome their dental fear.
Beyond general anaesthesia sleep sedation, our team offers alternative sleep sedation options, including:
- Anti-anxiety medication like Valium.
- Penthrox inhalation sedation—a self-administered treatment.
- Intravenous sedation that eliminates pain yet lets you stay conscious.
Whatever your dental needs, from preventative dentistry to dentures, our team is here with the necessary treatments—without causing any pain or discomfort. We’ll help you determine the right sleep sedation option and walk you through the entire process.
Ready to overcome your dental fear and show off your new smile? Learn more about sedation dentistry.
