How Sleep Dentistry Works? How Much Does it Cost?

Do you dodge all your dental appointments or shiver even from the simplest of dental procedures? Would you endure the extreme pain of an aching tooth than stepping foot in a dental clinic? Well, you are not the only one who is troubled with these thoughts and emotions. Thousands suffer from fear and dental anxieties such as fear of the noise from dental instruments, pain, the smell of dental clinics, etc. Keep reading to learn more about sleep dentistry:

How Sleep Dentistry work?

Sleep dentistry uses medication to help patients relax and feel comfortable while they are undergoing dental procedures. Sleep dentistry is also referred to as sedation dentistry. There may be different levels and types of sedation used in the process of sleep dentistry.

The levels of sedation used usually include:

• Minimal sedation - Where the patient is relaxed and comfortable through sedation while the dentist is treating them, but they stay awake throughout the dental procedure.
• Moderate Sedation - This form of sedation was earlier known as conscious sedation. The patient stays awake while being treated for their condition and may also be able to speak a few words (slur), but they usually do not remember about the procedure.
• Deep sedation - In this form of sedation you are on the edge of consciousness and cannot easily be woken, although you may respond to repeated or strong stimulation. Your breathing may need support, so it needs a specially trained team and close monitoring.
• Complete Sedation - When being treated with general anaesthesia, the patient is completely unconscious. It is given by an anaesthetist, usually in a hospital or day surgery, and may suit people with severe anxiety or extensive treatment.

Types of Sleep Dentistry

Some common forms of sleep dentistry used are:

• General Anaesthesia
• IV Sedation
• Anti-Anxiety Medication
• Oral Sedation

At Kallangur Dental Surgery we offer IV sedation and oral sedation for suitable patients. We do not offer happy gas, and where deeper sedation or general anaesthesia is needed, it may have to be carried out in a hospital or day surgery; we will tell you if that applies.

We at Kallangur Dental Surgery understand that dental fear can keep you away from care you need. That is why we offer sleep dentistry in Kallangur for suitable patients, so treatment can be more comfortable. Sleep dentistry is used along with dental treatments only after a detailed consultation session with our caring dentists at Kallangur Dental Surgery. Our dentists interview all the patients who are to undergo dental procedures accompanied with sleep dentistry- After knowing how sleep dentistry works, many patients feel more at ease about going ahead with treatment. Administering sleep dentistry requires in-depth information about the condition of the patient, their past medical history, their previous dental treatments, if any, their budget, along with some more details.

What is the Cost of Sleep Dentistry?

The cost of sleep dentistry may vary for every patient. There are several points that may impact the cost of sleep dentistry. Some common points include the type of sedation used, who gives it, where it is given (in the surgery or in a hospital or day surgery), and how long the appointment lasts. Sedation is charged in addition to the dental treatment itself.

Because these factors differ so much from one patient to the next, we do not publish a single sleep dentistry fee. Instead, you receive the full figure in writing, along with what your health fund may cover, before anything is booked, and payment plans may also be available.

Sedation is carried out after an assessment and with monitoring throughout, and some people are not suitable for it. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks, and you are welcome to get a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner before you proceed.

To get detailed information on sleep dentistry and the dental treatments that Kallangur Dental Surgery offers, you can book an appointment with us by calling on (07) 3886 0933 or come visit us in our office.