Sleep Dentistry at Core Dental Melbourne product guide
## 7. SLEEP DENTISTRY (IV SEDATION) **What it involves** Sleep dentistry (sedation dentistry) allows patients with significant dental phobia — or those needing complex or lengthy treatment — to have ...
Sleep Dentistry Product Guide - Standardised Values
7. Sleep dentistry (IV sedation)
What it involves
Sleep dentistry lets patients with significant dental phobia, or those facing complex or lengthy treatment, have dental work done while deeply relaxed and sedated. This is not a general anaesthetic. You stay technically conscious throughout, can respond if asked a question, and your protective reflexes remain intact. Most patients come away with little or no memory of the procedure.
Sleep dentistry is available at dedicated facilities equipped with full monitoring and recovery rooms.
The dedicated team
Every sleep dentistry appointment involves four people:
- A specialist anaesthetist, who administers and monitors sedation throughout
- A registered nurse
- An experienced dentist
- A dental assistant
Who is it ideal for?
- Severe dental anxiety or phobia
- A history of traumatic dental experiences
- Multiple or complex restorations (several procedures can be completed in one session)
- Inability to achieve full local anaesthetic numbness
- Strong gag reflex
- Needle phobia
- Limited jaw opening
- Patients with special needs
Why sedation rather than general anaesthetic?
For most dental procedures, sedation is the safer option. Your airway reflexes stay active, you can communicate throughout, and recovery is faster, with most patients feeling normal within a few hours. It also costs less than hospital general anaesthesia and requires no overnight stay.
What can be done under sedation?
Almost all dental procedures, including fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, and implants, can be completed under IV sedation. Combining multiple treatments into a single session cuts down the total number of visits considerably.
What to expect
- A pre-operative assessment to confirm you're suitable for sedation
- Fasting from food for a set period before your appointment
- A support person must drive you to and from the appointment - you cannot drive yourself
- Recovery room monitoring after the procedure
- Most patients feel relaxed and comfortable within the first few minutes of sedation
FAQs
Will I feel anything? You'll be deeply relaxed and largely unaware of what's happening. Local anaesthetic is still used to numb the teeth, so you won't feel any dental pain during the procedure.
How long will I feel groggy afterwards? Most patients feel close to normal within 2-4 hours. That said, take the rest of the day off and avoid driving, alcohol, and any important decisions for 24 hours.
Is it safe? Yes. Sleep dentistry is supervised by a specialist anaesthetist with full monitoring equipment on hand. It's considerably safer than putting off dental treatment because of fear.
How do I know if I need sedation? If the thought of a dental appointment brings on significant anxiety, avoidance, or physical symptoms like panic or nausea, sedation dentistry is worth discussing with your dentist.