Relax. You’re at Aria.

For some, a trip to the dentist can be quite unsettling. Perhaps you’ve had a negative experience that triggers an uncomfortable amount of fear or anxiety. Or perhaps you have a strong gag reflex or suffer from anxiety.

With sleep dentistry, imagine slowly drifting away into a deep and peaceful sleep, completely oblivious to everything around you, including your treatment. There’s no pain, no noises, just peace and tranquillity. And depending on the sedation option you choose, you may not even remember a thing.

At Aria Dental, we understand your personal concerns and are here to help. We can support you by providing a range of sedation options to help put you completely at ease, no matter how anxious you feel. Aria Dental (in the Perth CBD) offers a variety of sedation options, from light, oral (anti-anxiety) medications to gently relax you, to intravenous sedation techniques where you’ll be deeply relaxed and not remember your treatment afterwards.

Your Aria dentist can discuss all the appropriate sleep dentistry options available to you, so together, you can agree on the best option for your treatment.

You’re in safe hands.

The Aria Dental nurses will take care of you throughout your appointment. You can be reassured that our team will always be there to support, listen and care for you throughout your stay.

Before and after your treatment, you’ll be in the luxurious Aria recovery room and constantly monitored. Your recovery time will depend on your needs, the type of sedation given, and the procedure performed – but there is no hurry, enjoy the space and take your time.

Once you are ready for discharge, we will call your nominated friend or family member. Our nurses will provide you with any verbal or written post-operative instructions once they arrive. We do require that a responsible adult is with you during these discussions (just in case you forget any details). They will also need to drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day. You will have your dentist’s or Dr Michael Zaninovich’s direct number should you have any questions you missed asking.

Book an Initial Consultation

You’re in safe hands with Aria Dental

Why would I consider sleep dentistry?

  • Save time & money – some complex dental procedures may need several visits. Sedation allows more work to be done in the one appointment, saving time and money.

  • Bypass physical problems – some patients have strong gag reflexes, are noise-sensitive or hate drill noises. Others have anxiety issues that make dental appointments difficult. Sedation alleviates these problems.

  • Better quality of treatment – Sometimes, dentists feel they can treat a patient more effectively if they’re asleep, due to problems with gag reflexes or discomfort. If a patient is awake, the dentist may feel obliged to minimise stressful actions and speed up their work. Sedation allows the dentist to do their best work without any distractions.

  • Phobias – Sleep dentistry or sedation dentistry is excellent for those suffering phobias that prohibit them from visiting the dentist.

  • Little to no memory afterwards – For some patients with psychological concerns or those who have a lot of invasive work required, such as tooth extractions or oral surgery, dental work can be distressing. Some dental treatments can also be time-consuming. With sedation, the patient will feel as if they have been away for a couple of minutes, when they may have been in surgery for several hours.

  • A pleasant experience – Anyone can elect to have sedation for their dental treatment if they would prefer to have a more relaxing, comfortable, stress-free experience.

Types of Dental Sleep Dentistry

Oral Sedation

Oral Sedation is the most common type of sleep dentistry and involves taking medication to help patients relax during a dental procedure. The medication is usually taken before the appointment and may cause drowsiness. Patients who receive oral sedation are still conscious during the procedure but may not remember it. The effects of oral sedation can last several hours, and patients will need someone to drive them home after the appointment.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation (Laughing Gas)

Nitrous Oxide Sedation, also known as Laughing Gas (or happy gas), is also a common form of sedation used in sleep dentistry. It is a safe and effective way to reduce anxiety and discomfort for patients. Nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask placed over the patient’s nose. The patient remains conscious during the procedure and can communicate with the dentist. Nitrous oxide is fast-acting and wears off quickly, allowing patients to return to their normal activities after the procedure.

Intravenous IV Sedation

Intravenous (IV) Sedation involves the administration of medication through a vein, often used for complex dental procedures such as dental implants or wisdom teeth removal. IV sedation provides a deep level of relaxation and can cause patients to fall asleep during a surgical or invasive procedure. Patients who receive IV sedation, for pain, are monitored closely by dentists and a trained medical professional to ensure their safety. The effects of IV sedation can last several hours, and patients will need someone to drive them home from the dental clinic after the appointment.

General Anaesthesia

General Anaesthesia involves the use of medication to induce a deep sleep-like state. Patients who receive general anaesthesia are unconscious and unaware of the procedure. General anaesthesia is usually reserved for more extensive procedures and is administered by a trained anaesthesiologist in a hospital setting.

Benefits of Dental Sedation

Reduced Anxiety: Sleep dentistry procedure can help reduce anxiety for patients who may have dental phobia or fear of dental procedures. Sedation can help patients feel more relaxed and comfortable during the procedure.

Increased Comfort : Sleep dentistry can help reduce discomfort during dental procedures. Patients who receive sedation may not feel pain or discomfort during the procedure.

Smoother Treatment Experience : Sedation can improve a patient cooperation during the procedure. Patients who are relaxed and comfortable are more likely to cooperate with the dentist and follow instructions.

Faster Procedure Times : Sedation can help reduce the time it takes to complete a dental procedure. Patients who are relaxed and comfortable are more likely to cooperate with the dentist, allowing the procedure to be completed more quickly.

Safe and Effective : Sleep dentistry is a safe and effective way to reduce anxiety and discomfort for oral health patients during a dental procedure. The dentist will carefully monitor the patient during the dental treatment to ensure their safety.

How much does Sleep Dentistry Services cost at Aria Dental?

We offer our sleep dentistry patients the highest level of service with their sedation option at for our day-to-day dental treatments at our state of the art Dental Implant Centres or in hospital treatments.

Sleep Dentistry Perth Cost are from:

    • Basic sedation tablet (typically Ativan) which is offered FREE at all of our Implant Dental Clinics;
    • Penthrox whistle-styled inhaler which starts from $150;
    • IV sedation and with an in-clinic, specialist medical anaesthetist cost starts from $1,200. A portion of IV sedation can be claimed back through Medicare.
    • For those opting to have their dental procedure in hospital setting, individual quotes can be provided depending on which hospital you interested in visiting and anaesthetist doctor selected.

Will I suffer from any side effects after my sleep dentistry appointment?

All sleep dentistry options, including using a general anaesthetist, are all temporary and safe. It is possible to feel nausea or confusion immediately following the dental treatment. You are not allow to drive after having sleep dentistry dental procedure, so bring along a friend or family member to take you home and monitor you for a few hours.

What are other ways of handling dental anxiety?

Instead of sleep dentistry, some other methods for managing dental anxiety include breathing and inhaling meditation, a relaxation technique before your dental procedure.

Meditation is an effective way to decrease stress levels and create a more relaxed environment before your dental care. One technique that can help reduce stress is mindfulness meditation, which involves focusing on the present moment and observing thoughts and sensations without judgment.

Another technique is deep breathing meditation, which involves taking slow, deep breaths and releasing tension with each exhale. Completing Yoga or Tai Chi before attending your appointment and can help promote relaxation and reduce stress levels. Practicing meditation regularly can increase awareness and help individuals better manage stressful situations when visiting the dental clinic.

Book a Sleep Dentistry Perth Appointment

Dental sleep dentistry is a safe and effective way to reduce anxiety and discomfort for patients during dental procedures. The type of sedation used will depend on the patient’s needs and the complexity of the procedure. Patients who have dental phobia or require extensive dental work may benefit from dental sedation. If you are considering dental sedation, speak with your dentist to determine the best option for you. We offer this service at all of our Aria Dental clinics, in Midland, Maddington, North Perth and Scarborough.