Who Are The Perfect Candidates For Sleep Dentistry

Sleep dentistry makes it possible for patients with disabilities, dental phobics and very young children to have dental care treatment without the pain and anxiety. This dental procedure employs anesthetic management techniques to put the patient in a state of complete sleep. The patient will have no recall or awareness of the procedure.

Who are the perfect candidates for sleep dentistry?

• Patients with dental phobia
Dental phobia is fear of receiving dental care. Patients with mild dental phobia experience nausea, inability to focus, increased heart rate and profuse sweating; while those who have severe dental phobia experience uncontrollable panic attacks at the thought of visiting the dentist.

• Patients with disabilities and medical conditions
Patients suffering from physical and developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, emotionally disturbed individuals and those who have neck and spinal disorders who find it difficult to recline in a dental chair. Sleep dentistry is also recommended for patients who have sensitive gag reflex.

• Young children
Sleep dentistry offers the perfect solution for very young children who require complex oral surgeries and also, for children who are very hard to restrain.

How does sleep dentistry work?

Anesthesia is administered by a combination of inhalation agents and intravenous medication. Sedative drugs are introduced on graduated amounts until the patient slips into a state of deep sleep. When the patient reaches a complete sedated state, the patient will have no awareness of the procedure. By the time he wakes up, he will not remember anything about the treatment.

For more information about sleep dentistry, consult our Ft Lauderdale dentist for more details.