Does the thought of going to the dentist fill you with dread? Are you put off caring for your pearly whites by the noise, the needles and the smells?
Sleep dentistry may be the answer.
Sleep Dentistry involves the use of intravenous medication administered and supervised by a specialist anaesthetist. A combination of sedative and pain relieving medication help create a drowsy and dream-like state of relaxation for the duration of your procedure. Sleep dentistry allows your dentist to care for you at their clinic, and is safer than undergoing a full general anaesthetic – and it’s now available at Norlane Dental.
Sleep dentistry is especially useful for patients who have significant anxiety about dental procedures, have had traumatic dental experiences in the past, are undergoing painful, complex treatment or surgery, are highly anxious or afraid of needles, or are concerned about noises or smells associated with their procedures.
During your procedure you will be connected to monitors, which will assess your pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level and breathing. You will also have a small cannula inserted in your hand or arm. You will then be covered with your blanket, and will drift off into a very relaxed state, as the sedative medication takes effect. This dream-like state is in between being awake and being asleep, and you will find it warm, pleasant and very calming. The medication will be given in small doses throughout your procedure to ensure that you remain in this relaxed and sleepy state until your procedure has finished.
Norlane Dental ensures patient suitability for day case care and that patients are managed following national Australian guidelines. The surgery also ensures that a specialist anaesthetist attends throughout procedures, that oxygen is provided during procedures, that emergency drugs and equipment are available and that comprehensive patient monitoring, including of blood pressure, oxygen saturation, pulse, breathing and ETC02, is conducted.
