Sleep dentistry, or sedation dentistry, is a dental solution designed for patients who dread going to the dentist, fear needles, or have sensitive teeth or difficulty getting numb. Sleep dentistry is a pain-free way to alleviate anxiety and relax patients, so the dentist can perform procedures, especially more invasive procedures, such as the installation of dental implants or dental crowns, smoothly.

The medications you will receive will make you so relaxed that you won’t feel any pain during your treatment, even if you normally have difficulty getting numb at the dentist. Depending on the medication and your body’s reaction to it, you may have little or no recollection of the procedure. You will be monitored closely by the dentist and his assistants the entire time to ensure there are no problems.

It is important to let your dentist know of any medications you are taking prior to your sedation dentistry appointment to avoid any complications.

Seven-Year Study

A study was conducted over a seven-year period of 34,000 patients who were given an office-based anesthesia by surgeons of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). The study found that of those patients, only about 6 percent suffered from minor side-effects like nausea, which is often associated with anesthesia. There were no detrimental long-term effects in this study.