1. Sedation Dentistry - Quick
Look at Sedation Dentistry
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2. Sedation dentistry, also known as sleep
dentistry, is a relatively new specialisation
in dentistry but its importance in the
maintenance of dental health among
children, adults and elderly patients
cannot be underestimated. For one
thing, individuals with extreme fears
regarding needles – or even just the
thought of sitting on the dentist’s chair –
will benefit from it mainly because of their
level of unconsciousness during the
procedure itself. For another
thing, dentists will have an easier time
performing the required procedure with
the patient in a sedated state.
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3. Patient and dentist benefit from sleep
dentistry in so many ways! But as with all
aspects of life where health is
concerned, knowledge is empowerment so
it pays to be informed about sedation
dentistry.
Specialised Branch
Sleep dentistry is a specialised branch of
dentistry requiring postgraduate
education and advanced training.
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4. An aspiring sedation dentist must then
comply with the requirements set by the
state for the profession as well as the
requirements of industry organizations
like the Australian Society of Dental
Anaesthesiology; the latter caters to the
special needs of sedation dentists in the
administration of sedatives as well as in
pain control and patient anxiety
management.
Tip: Ask for the dentist’s credentials in
sedation dentistry before consenting to
any procedure requiring the use of
sedatives administered in any manner.
Keep in mind that even the safest
sedatives have side effects when
administered inappropriately.
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5. Benefits of Sedation
Why are the services of the best sedation
dentist in, say, Melbourne popular?
Because of the many benefits of sedation
dentistry including the following:
• Increased comfort and relaxation
coupled with lessened pain sensations for
the patient
• Better control over the gag reflex and
movement of the patient
• Little or no memory of the
treatment, thus, lessening the mental
trauma from dental visits
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6. • Lesser physical trauma since the dentist
can perform his work as planned without
the constant movement from the patient
• Lesser time spent on the procedure
and, hence, lesser number of visits
required
• It is, indeed, a win-win solution!
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7. Preparation for Sedation
Before coming in to your
appointment, you must adopt a few
preparatory measures to ensure that the
procedure goes as planned. Safety
precautions in sedation dentistry include:
• Avoid eating and drinking any food and
beverage after midnight on the day of your
surgery. (If your surgery is scheduled at
9AM, don’t eat and drink anything starting
at 12:01 AM) If you must take your regular
medications with the consent of your
dentist – many medications can interact
with sedatives – just do so with a small sip
of water.
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8. • Bring a container in which to place
dentures, partial plates or removable
bridge works while at the dental clinic.
Remove your contact lenses, if advised by
your dentist, too.
Most important, you should have a relative
or a friend by your side on the day of your
sedation dentistry procedure. Keep in
mind that you are not allowed to drive
yourself because of the aftereffects of the
sedative used.
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9. Sedative Administration
Depending on the sedative used, its
administration can come in three
forms, namely: (Note: Only a professional
trained in sedation dentistry should
administer these sedatives)
• Oral conscious sedation. The oral
sedative will relieve your stress and
anxiety about the procedure although you
will still be conscious during the entire
time. In fact, you will still be able to follow
the dentist’s instructions.
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10. • Inhalation sedation. The main sedative
used is nitrous oxide (laughing gas), which
dentists prefer because of its fast effect on
the patient but the recovery time is just as
fast.
• Intravenous (IV) sedation. This involves
the injection of the sedative directly into
your mainstream.
When you are sedated, your sedation
dentist will then start on the planned
dental procedure – and that is why
sedation dentistry is welcome news for
those who want to have little to no
memory of an otherwise traumatic
procedure for some.
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11. Contact Us
HealthySmiles
150 Canterbury Road,
Blackburn South Vic 3130
Phone 03 9877 2035
Email info@healthysmiles.com.au
Website: http://www.healthysmiles.com.au
www.healthysmiles.com.au