Differences between Sleep Dentistry & Sedation Dentistry

A trip to the dentist can cause a panicked mindset in a huge population of people. Fear of pain, the sound of the drill, and being uncomfortable can prohibit many from even making an appointment. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious health issues. Your dentist will not only keep your teeth and gums in tip top shape, they will be the first to alert you of more in depth diseases, including oral cancer. Regular dental visits should not be avoided or even put off. Thanks to modern medicine and the latest technology, fear should no longer be a reason to not see your dentist. With sedation and sleep dentistry, you won’t feel a thing! But what are the differences?

Sedation dentistry is the term given to a method of sedating the patient through a variety of different ways. There are three popular methods of sedation dentistry. The first is oral sedation. In this case, the patient takes a prescribed sedative shortly before their appointment. You will need to arrange a ride to and from your appointment, since it can take a bit to wear off. Another popular choice is nitrous oxide. With nitrous oxide, you breathe through a mask throughout the procedure. The effectiveness is similar to an oral sedative, but effects wear off almost immediately after it is finished.

This may be a more convenient option if transportation is an issue for you. There is also an IV sedation option. This has been popular in the past, but with more and more options becoming available, most patients are opting for something less invasive than an IV. With sedation dentistry, you are not fully asleep, just extremely drowsy and relaxed. Some patients may actually become so relaxed that they do, in fact, fall asleep. But sleep dentistry is actually something completely different.

With sleep dentistry, you will be administered a general anesthesia. Under this anesthesia, you will be completely unconscious. This is a more serious undertaking with the greater risks associated with general anesthesia. You are monitored throughout the procedure to check your breathing and heart rate. Sleep dentistry is increasing in popularity, but currently most dentists are more comfortable with the safer sedation dentistry.

You can decide with your dentist which option is best for you. With so many different types available, make sure you talk both pros and cons for each procedure before you choose the one that is right for you.

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