Dental Treatment can be very daunting for some patients. Sometimes just the thought of visiting a dentist can make you scared. This may have been because of a bad dental experience in the past or you may have developed a dental phobia for an unknown reason.
We understand this at Apex Dental, which is why we provide sleep dentistry for patients who are nervous and apprehensive about coming to see the dentist. Dental treatment doesn’t have to be scary or daunting and it can be performed comfortably for our patients with the help of sedation and sleep dentistry.
How it works
Patients initially organize a consultation appointment with one of our friendly and gentle dentists. At this appointment, a careful and painless examination of your teeth and gums will be done. Radiographs and photos may be taken, if needed, to complete the comprehensive examination. Any treatment required will then be fully explained to you and a full treatment plan and prices will be given to you.
Once you are comfortable and happy with our dentist and the proposed treatment, our friendly staff will book an appointment for you. One of our experienced Dentist willcollect the necessary medical history and go through instructions for you to follow prior to your visit.
Who are Suitable for Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep dentistry is a wonderful way of having dental treatment done and not having any recollection of it.
It is suitable for very young patients, for patients needing wisdom teeth extractions, multiple teeth extractions or other surgery including dental implants, for very nervous patients, for patients needing a lot of dental work done in one visit and anyone else who is apprehensive about dental treatment.
Who are Not Suitable for Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep dentistry would not be suitable for patients with extensive medical conditions, and this would be assessed by our experienced dentists. For these patients, appropriate referrals will be made for the treatment.
Types of sedation:
Minimal sedation/Anxiolysis — you are awake but relaxed.
Moderate sedation (conscious sedation) — you may slur your words when speaking and do not remember the treatment done.
Deep sedation — you are on the edge of consciousness but can still be awakened.
General anesthesia — you are completely unconscious.
What Types of sedation used in our office?
At present we offer minimal sedation(Anxiolysis),
Inhalation analgesia: you breathe nitrous oxide( laughing gas), combined with oxygen through a mask .The gas helps to relax .Your dentist will administer local anaesthetic and finish the treatment. At the end of the procedure the residual gas will be flushed out of your system with administration of 100% oxygen. This is the only form of sedation where you may be able to drive yourself home after some time.
Oral sedation: Your dentist will advise you not to eat before the procedure and you will be given a low dose sedative pill which makes you sleepy for quite some time , your dentist will administer the local anesthesia and finish the treatment in that time window.
We Highly recommend that somebody accompany you during and after the procedure.
How Much Does It Cost?
Sleep dentistry may be much more affordable than you think. The convenience of having all your dental work done under sedation in one visit, together with the comfort of knowing you won’t feel or remember anything afterwards make sleep dentistry the first choice for many of our patients.
Please call us at (505)585-5157 or emailapexdentalnm@gmail.com or fill out online appointment form to know more about the treatment options and schedule an appointment.
