Are you nervous or anxious about your upcoming dental procedure?
Then you must understand that you’re not alone. Almost 1 in 6 adults in Australia have dental fear. There’s no need to silently deal with this problem because sleep dentistry is the perfect solution for you.
If your dental treatment is lengthy and complex, or you get anxious during the therapy, sleep dentistry will help you relax entirely and undergo the treatment feeling calm and at ease. But if you want to know more about sleep dentistry and how much it costs, keep reading.
But What Exactly is Sleep Dentistry?
With sleep dentistry, you’ll be technically awake but feel carefree as it involves sedation to keep the patient comfortable during dental procedures.
You’ll feel calm and relaxed no matter how long or painful the procedure is. People with dental anxiety greatly benefit from sleep dentistry. Several ways to sedate the patient include oral sedation, nitrous oxide, and intravenous (IV) sedation.
Dentists can perform any procedure, from dental implant surgeries to extracting wisdom teeth to root canal treatments. At the same time, the patient relaxes in the dentist’s chair without any issues – all thanks to sleep dentistry.
Sleep dentistry is best for people with:
- Dental anxiety as well as the fear of visiting the dentist.
- Extreme teeth sensitivity.
- Overly sensitive gag reflex.
- Difficulty controlling movements.
- A fear of needles, a.k.a., aichmophobia.
- Decreased sensitivity to local anaesthesia.
- Special needs like physical, cognitive, or behavioural.
Sedation Administration
In the case of sleep dentistry, a licensed anesthesiologist is present at the clinic who performs the IV sedation and monitors your vitals. In contrast, the dentist does the dental treatment. It is necessary because when the dentist injects the drug, there are chances that you’ll start to feel light-headed and sleepy. You won’t remember a thing after the effects of the drug have subsided.
Different Levels of Conscious Sedation
The three different levels of conscious sedation that you should be aware of:
- Minimal Sedation: At this level of sedation, you can respond to your dentist but feel calm.
- Moderate Sedation: At the medium level of sedation, you’re also able to respond but feel sleepy and might fade in and out of consciousness.
- Deep Sedation: At the deep sedation level, it takes effort to stay awake, and you’re mostly asleep.
How Much Does Sleep Dentistry Cost?
You might think that sleep dentistry is costly, but it’s surprisingly an affordable option that almost everyone can access. The cost of sleep dentistry varies depending on the kind of dental work performed, the time required for the treatment, and the level of sedation needed.
The average IV sedation cost in Australia starts from $850. But the anesthesiologist will estimate how much of the drug you need to administer according to the procedure type and time required to complete it. They’ll also decide which procedure is most appropriate for the patient.
Usually, the health insurance providers cover sedation for more complex and time-consuming dental treatments and procedures. But it is possible to include sedation in your general or Extras cover for smaller check-ups.
Moreover, sleep dentistry costs include the drug administration and the supervision you’ll acquire at the clinic during the dental procedure.
Sleep Dentistry at Ashfield Family Dental
Ashfield Family Dental offers a sleep dentistry option with several other dental procedures. Our experts will ensure that you feel no pain, anxiety, or fear while undergoing the treatment.
If you want more details on sleep dentistry, its expense, and included methods, feel free to contact us anytime.
