Call/Text Us Today ! +61 (0) 48 111 9988 | EMAIL OUR OFFICE
Where your smile is our priority. Our dedicated team of dental professionals is committed to providing exceptional care and personalized treatment plans. With state-of-the-art technology and a warm, friendly atmosphere, we offer a comprehensive range of dental services to ensure your oral health and confidence shine brightly.
Always welcoming new patients
Sleep Dentistry describes a procedure where dental treatment is performed while the patient is sedated. It is called sleep dentistry because the sedative used causes patients to sleep throughout the procedure.
Sleep dentistry is the most comfortable and relaxing way to have dental treatment done. Patients sleep (are sedated) throughout the procedure and so cannot feel the treatment taking place. There is also an amnesia effect with the sedation so there is usually no memory of having the procedure done afterwards. It is like getting on a long-haul flight, falling asleep and waking up refreshed at your destination – with no memory of the flight in-between.
When a patient chooses sleep dentistry for their dental procedure, we usually schedule as much treatment as possible in a single appointment. Before treatment begins, we insert an IV drip and administer a sedative which causes the patient to fully relax and fall asleep. While sedated, the patient feels no pain and is not aware of the dental treatment taking place. The sedative used is called Freesofol (more info here) and is safely used all over the world in hospitals and dental clinics.
Dental treatment carried out under IV sedation is becoming very popular at McIntosh Dental. We are now treating several patients per week using this technique.
We are running a short series about this in our blog. If you want to receive updates on the new articles you can subscribe there. Or give us a call on 09 837 2598 to discusss your options or contact us here.
Sedation involves the use of a sedative agent to help maintain a calm, restful state during treatment. It is a restful procedure, but you&apso;re still conscious and able to respond to voice prompts. However many patients have no recollection of the treatment they undergo.
We offer three types of sedation to help patients feel more comfortable, in addition, local anaesthetic is also used.
Most sedation options are only available at our specialist practices, please check with your practice ahead of time on which sedation options they have available to you.
Inhalation sedation involves breathing in nitrous oxide gas to decrease pain sensitivity. It’s commonly known as ‘laughing gas’ or ‘happy gas’ to reduce anxiety.
Oral sedation is a sedative that is administered in a tablet or liquid form. It’s usually taken an hour before your appointment at the surgery.
Intravenous, or IV sedation, involves a small injection of a sedative into your arm. Soon after the injection you will start to feel drowsy but very relaxed.
Many patients prefer oral medications, as they are effective and the most cost-effective. Often provided through a prescription, the medication may be taken about an hour before the treatment begins so that it takes full effect.
Twilight or IV Sedation Dentistry is administered intravenously into the forearm or the back of the hand, and puts the patient in a deep state of relaxation. It takes time to wear off and you may need to arrange a ride home after your dental treatment.
Nitrous Oxide, or happy gas, is administered with a breathing mask just before the treatment begins. It has a quick onset and wears off just as quick, making it a preferred method for patients who need to relax, but must return to their normal routine right after.
Sleep dentistry with general anaesthesia must be arranged ahead of time and will be monitored during the entire treatment. You will need to arrange for a ride home after your treatment.
Dr AJ Salman is a member of the New Zealand Sedation Society following the guidelines of good practice set out by this organisation.
Our dedicated general anaesthesia team consists of a Specialist Anaesthetist, a registered nurse, an experienced dentist and a senior dental assistant. All have considerable experience in caring for patients with dental phobia, ensuring dental treatment is carried out efficiently and safely.
You can sit back and relax in our beautiful, state of the art sleep dentistry facility in South Melbourne. Our sleek architectural designed practice boasts ample natural light, scented candles and relaxing background music, as well as a dedicated recovery room fitted with comfortable furniture and calm lighting.
Sleep dentistry involves the administration of a general anaesthesia to place patients in a deep sleep-like state. This allows for completion of dental treatment without the patient feeling anxious or concerned during the procedure.
Our dedicated general anaesthesia team consists of a Specialist Anaesthetist, a registered nurse, an experienced dentist and a senior dental assistant. All have considerable experience in caring for patients with dental phobia, ensuring dental treatment is carried out efficiently and safely.
General anaesthesia is provided by a board-registered Specialist Anaesthetist who is responsible for providing the appropriate medications and monitoring during the procedure, in addition to bringing the patient back to a wakeful state at the end of treatment. General anaesthesia involves close monitoring of vital signs and protection of the airway by the Specialist Anaesthetist and registered nurse, meaning that patients receive optimal care throughout the procedure.
Someone who:
Sleep dentistry allows for completion of multiple different treatments within the same session providing several benefits such as less visits to the dentist and time required in the chair, fewer numbing injections and maximised comfort during treatment.
Our patients will be under the constant care and supervision of a Specialist Anaesthetist, registered nurse, senior dentist, and highly-trained dental nurse. Patient safety is at the forefront of all general anaesthesia cases.
Treatment under general anaesthesia reduces if not completely eliminates the stress and discomfort associated with long and complex dental procedures.
Not all practices offer all types of sedation
Patients are monitored from the time of administration to the time of discharge.
Some dentists offer sedation for nervous or anxious patients. If you are feeling nervous about having dental treatment, speak to your dentist about the sedation options available to you.