Sleep and Sedation Dentistry: An Alternative Treatment for Patients with Disabilities

Patients with disabilities require special attention when undergoing dental procedures.

These patients are hard to restrain and have difficulties remaining still for extended periods, especially in the case of complex dental surgery.

The treating dentist puts the patient in a deep state of relaxation or complete sleep by administering sedation medication or general anesthesia.

Sedation and sleep dentistry offers a better dental solution to patients with disabilities.

Patients with physical and developmental disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, Parkinson’s and those who have behavior problems may require the expertise of a certified sleep dentist.

Their situation demands special care and attention different from the regular dental procedures performed on non-special needs patients.

How does sedation and sleep dentistry work?

First and foremost, the treating dentist will review the needs of the patient.

After identifying the needs of the patient only then a treatment plan will be prepared.

The levels of sedation varies with each case. Some patients easily doze off to a relaxed state while the others require more sedative medication before they can achieve the desired level of complete relaxation.

In other cases such as patients with severe mental disabilities, it is important to put them completely to sleep.

During surgery, the sedation may be administered through a combination of breathing mask and medication.

Laughing gas or nitrous oxide will gradually put them in a relaxed state. The patient’s treatment plan determines whether oral or intravenous medication is appropriate. These are administered in graduated levels until such time complete relaxation is achieved.

In the past, these procedures are performed in the hospital where proper facilities are available. Now, developments in dental art technology allow patients to have the surgery right at their dentist’s office.

These dentists have secured specialized training and have permits in the administration of anesthesia from the state they operate in.

Not all dentists are licensed to perform sedation and sleep dentistry.  Do not forget to check the dentist’s qualification and experience before committing to a dental procedure.

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!