Sleep Dentistry Richmond
Also known as IV Sedation, it is a technique of choice to treat anxious patients.
Sedation (or Sleep) dentistry could help you achieve the dental care and attention needed if you have delayed visiting the dentist or having treatment because of a dental fear. Your overall wellbeing and health is of primary concern to us.
What is IV sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry (sleep dentistry) is a method of putting you into a light sleep during a dental procedure. It is a light sedation as opposed to an anaesthetic which would completely knock you out.
Who can use sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is an excellent option for patients who are anxious or afraid to visit the dentist. In general, there are three situations in which IV sedation is recommended:
- Patients who require procedures that are lengthy or complex
- Patients who tend to experience high levels of stress or fear about dental procedures
- Patients who have a low threshold for pain and with those who have a pronounced gag reflex
A few exclusions to IV sedation treatment include:
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Over a certain weight
- Drug & Alcohol addictions
- Some prescribed medications.
If sleep dentistry is not suitable for you, our dentists will suggest alternatives to help you get the dental care that you need. Our top concern is your dental health administered in a safe and caring environment.
The use of IV Sedation
For some people, a fear of the dentist or fear of dental procedures can prohibit them from even the most basic of dental care. They can avoid going to the dentist all together because of this fear. Sedation dentistry relaxes them adequately so that the dentist can do the required dental work, and the patient is anxiety free.
While many dentists can administer nitrous oxide or minimal sedation, only a small number of dentists are trained to administer deep IV sedation. The Dental Board of Australia states that, "Only dentists, including dental specialists, whose registration is endorsed for conscious sedation can use this technique in their practice". Some of the medical and dental professionals who can perform sleep dentistry:
- Board endorsed conscious sedation dentists
- Dental anaesthesiologists
- General anaesthesiologists
The most important thing to remember when choosing a dentist to perform IV sedation is to ensure that the dentist has the proper qualifications to perform sedation dentistry.
Get in touch with our friendly team today to schedule an appointment.
Sedation Dentistry vs General Anaesthetic
Sedation Dentistry is a much lighter sleep that ‘going under’ a full general anaesthetic. Under a general you are completely in a deep sleep and non-responsive, whereas under sedation, you can hear and respond to the dentist, but it is as if you are falling into a light sleep.
Cost difference
Sedation Dentistry services are delivery by a qualified dental sedationist who will bill you direct for the services. Sedation Dentistry is a cheaper, more affordable option than General Anaesthetic, and the final cost will be determined by the length of treatment required and how long you will be sedated for.
Richmond Fine Dentistry is not involved in the costing process.
Can all dentists offer IV sedation in Australia?
In Australia, only a few dentists have earned the Dental Board of Australia accreditation in deep sleep sedation and general anaesthesia and therefore can legally use such complex sedation techniques. Richmond Fine Dentistry offer their dental patients this service via Dr Barry Creighton who comes into our Melbourne practice to administer the sedation
Dr Barry Creighton at our Richmond practice
Known among his patents as “the gentle dentist”, Dr Creighton has practised as a dental surgeon for more than 20 years. He holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and also a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry – Conscious Sedation. He brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to Richmond Fine Dentistry, to ensure that our patients have the smoothest, safest and most relaxed procedures possible.
After observing the benefits of sedation dentistry, Dr Barry Creighton embarked on a journey to establish his own IV sedation practice here in Melbourne. Patients are now able to receive complete professional sleep dentistry care in their own familiar dental clinic, with the people they know and trust right there with them.
Dr Creighton, principal of Dental Sedation Victoria, provides mobile services to Richmond Fine Dentistry and its patients. He and his registered nurse will provide care throughout the procedure, ensuring patients’ dental experiences are that of calm and comfort.
Frequently asked questions
People often refer to IV sedation as twilight dentistry because it involves the use of a sedative that helps you relax before your dental procedure. Some IV drugs can put patients into a twilight-like sleep, in which patients feel tired and are less aware of their surroundings.
Here is a look at some of the other terms or nicknames given to IV sedation: Sleep Dentistry, Twilight Anaesthesia, Sedation Dentistry, Conscious Sedation
Once your appointment is over, and you are awake again, you will be required to stay in the practice for 45 mins so that we can monitor for any after effects of the sedation. Following treatment you might experience slight nausea, drowsiness, swelling, or bruising at the site of the injection. This is only temporary.
Legally, we cannot allow you to drive afterwards, or catch an Uber home so you will need somebody to drive and/or accompany you home.
You will be advised to not return to work for the day as it takes up to 24 hours for the sedative to leave the body.
It is administered in the dental chair by a qualified dental sedationist who will determine your suitability for sedation prior to administration.
IV sedation can be performed in the comfort of a qualified dentist's office. As with the case of most dental procedures, you will be positioned in a comfortable dental chair when your sedative is administered and your dental work is performed.
There is no limitation to when sedation dentistry can be used. It is used to alleviate anxiety and help you cope better with your visit to the dentist. Its use is based on you the patient, not the treatment.
Sedation Dentistry is suitable for treatment of minor and major treatments.
You won’t feel any pain during your sedation dentistry treatment. The IV sedative starts working in a few minutes – this means your dentist can begin your procedure quickly, and with no pain.
Yes we do.
General Anaesthetic dentistry is also available upon request. We treat patients off-site at Novamed in Ringwood. Novamed is a dental practice set up with general anaesthetic equipment which we prefer over the alternative of working with general anaesthesia in our Richmond dental practice. It’s our preference to treat patients offsite in a safe and established environment.
Whilst you are under sedation dentistry, you are conscious and can hear and follow instructions from the dentist. Many patients have no recollection of what happened during their visit, and talk about it being like a light sleep. The benefit for the patient is that there is no discomfort or anxiety for them during the dental visit.
We require that you don’t eat or drink anything for 6 hours before your appointment.
We understand that you may be feeling anxious about heading off to the dentist with a sedation dentistry appointment booked in. Our experience is that for many patients the first-time anxiety disappears after the initial visit and, for the next visit, patients come in smiling and ready for their in-chair treatment under sedation.