Sleep dentistry is the same as sedation dentistry. Oral sedation dentistry, is often referred to as sleep dentistry, is where you are given a tranquilizer or anti-anxiety medication prior to your dental visit. This medication relaxes you to the point where you may feel drowsy and be in a “daydream” state of mind. While you are not asleep during your dental procedure, you are extremely relaxed.

This type of oral sedation dentistry allows you to be awake and anxiety-free during your dental procedure. The certified sedation dentist and his team will monitor you closely: while you won’t be unconscious, you will be “distant” from the going-ons of the dental procedures.

Sedation dentistry allows you to get either routine dental care or go through long dental procedures without stress or anxiety. With oral sedation dentistry, it can make long dental procedures seem like only minutes have passed: you don’t realize how much time has lapsed or feel any pain.

If you choose sleep dentistry (oral sedation dentistry), you need to be aware that you will need to be driven to and from the dental office. You should plan to have a caregiver with you through the procedure and up to 4 hours afterwards. If you are unable to have someone drive you, you may want to consider nitrous oxide gas instead of taking an oral pill. Nitrous oxide gas will allow you to recover quickly from your dental procedure and you will be able to drive and function immediately after your dental procedure.

You want to make sure that you discuss all of the available options with your dentist. He or she will know your specific dental care needs and will be able to help you assess what treatment plans will be best for your situation. Plus, since dental insurance coverage varies, his office will be able to help you identify which sedation dentistry works best for you.

Sedation dentistry uses either oral or IV sedation to produce a relaxing and anxiety-free dental experience. The Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation estimates that approximately 30% of the population avoids either going to the dentist or getting a long procedure done because of dental phobia. This fear prevents people from receiving regular, routine dental care and can put the health and functionality of their mouth and smile at risk.

IV sedation dentistry is often only considered when people are getting impacted wisdom teeth removed. For people who have a significant fear of the dentist or are going to have a long and possibly painful dental procedure done, IV sedation dentistry can be a great benefit. You want to be sure that your dentist is certified in IV sedation before considering it for a procedure. Your dentist is the best person to discuss IV sedation dentistry with, since only your dentist knows your specific situation. If you want to consider IV sedation dentistry but your dentist is not certified or able to provide it, ask him for a referral to another dentist who is.

Oral sedation dentistry is the most common sedation dentistry technique in the US. Your dentist may recommend either a pill, such as a tranquilizer or anti-anxiety medication, or nitrous oxide to help you relax and raise your pain threshold. Local anesthetics may still used to block the pain from the affected teeth and tissues temporarily. These oral medications will help you maintain a very relaxed state of mind but still be conscious for safety and cooperation.

The biggest benefit of sedation dentistry is that it helps patients relax and can make a lengthy dental procedure seem like it only took minutes. With about 30% of the population suffering from some level of dental phobia, sedation dentistry can help these people receive routine dental care as well as lengthy dental procedures.