Oral Sedation Dentistry Is Not Sleep Dentistry

Serving Phoenix, Mesa and Scottsdale, Arizona

Fear of dental visits can be debilitating. Since it’s often related to traumatic experiences patients may have had as children, it can also be difficult to overcome.

Fortunately, many modern dentists, including Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro, offer alternatives that can help you get past your fear and get the dental care you need painlessly and without anxiety. Those interested in sedation dentistry should contact them as soon as they can for a consultation.

While this approach to dental care is sometimes incorrectly referred to as sleep dentistry, the sedation patient is actually awake and can respond (but is very relaxed) and remembers little or nothing about the visit. When looking for a sedation dentist, though, it’s important to be sure you understand what the individual dentist means if they use the term “sleep dentistry.”

Dr. LeSueur practices oral sedation dentistry, and is a member of the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS) and never uses IV anesthesia. Oral sedation dentistry makes use of a mild oral sedative and/or nitrous oxide administered before or during your dental work. General anesthetic and IV sedation are the true ”sleep dentistry” and are not used due to numerous risks inherent in their use.

Sleep Dentistry and General Anesthesia

Some dentists, however, do use general or IV anesthesia, and refer to this practice as “sleep dentistry.” While being completely unconscious while your dental work is done might seem like a good idea at first, especially if your dental phobia is particularly intense, it’s not the best approach to take. General anesthesia carries a number of risks and has a wide variety of possible side effects. The after effects of general anesthesia can be extremely uncomfortable, involving intense nausea and grogginess.

By contrast, oral sedation or nitrous oxide leaves you in a thoroughly relaxed, “floaty” state. You’re aware of what’s going on, but with no anxiety or fear whatsoever. If you use nitrous oxide, you can even drive yourself home after your procedure and many times have no remembrance of the procedure at all. Be sure to arrange a driver if you have oral sedation, though, as the effects take longer to wear off.

Sedation dentistry can be a powerful tool to help you overcome your fear and take care of dental work you may have been putting off for years. For more information about how sedation dentistry can help you, and on the difference between sedation and sleepy dentistry, please contact Phoenix, Arizona area sedation dentists Dr. Scott LeSueur and Dr. Charles Dodaro.