Lay your dental fears to rest
What is sleep dentistry?
Sleep dentistry enables dentally anxious patients to undergo dental treatment while in the deepest state of relaxation.
Some of us can be very apprehensive about visiting the dentist. Dental phobia is extremely common, but with sleep dentistry it no longer needs to be a barrier to healthy teeth and gums.
The sleep dentistry technique is ideal for patients with a strong dental phobia who need prolonged procedures such as treatment of multiple teeth in different locations within the mouth.
Dr Maliha Siddiqui (DEN0001785009) Registered Dentist, General Registration
What is the procedure for sleep dentistry?
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.
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.
Prof. Chankhrit Sathorn (DEN0001025734) Registered Dentist, Specialist, Specialist Registration in Endodontics
Multiple Specialists, One Anaesthetic
At Smile Solutions, sleep dentistry is not limited to one practitioner performing all treatment. Our multidisciplinary model allows multiple board-registered specialists to treat you in sequence under a single anaesthetic.
By way of example, a patient requiring complex treatment across multiple areas may have the following completed in a single session:
– A specialist endodontist performs root canal treatments on teeth being retained
– A specialist periodontist places dental implants, carries out any necessary bone grafting, and performs deep scaling and cleaning of teeth being retained
– An oral and maxillofacial surgeon removes any teeth that need to be extracted
– A specialist prosthodontist or general dentist carries out fillings, CEREC restorations, and crown preparations
The patient wakes up with all procedures completed – each one performed by the specialist most qualified to deliver it. This is only possible at a practice with 20+ board-registered specialists across the six main dental disciplines under one roof.
What are the advantages of sleep dentistry?
Time efficiency
Saftey
Comfort
Sedation Options at Smile Solutions
Baldus Digital Nitrous Cabinets with real-time digital monitoring. Mild sedation for routine procedures.
Prescription medication taken before your appointment to reduce anxiety.
Administered by a specialist anaesthetist. You drift in and out of consciousness with no memory of the procedure.
Full GA with specialist anaesthetist and monitoring equipment
For the most complex cases, or for patients with medical conditions requiring a hospital setting, procedure scan be performed in a private hospital. Only board-registered specialists and dual-qualified medical surgeons are authorised to operate in hospitals – general dentists cannot. If you have private health insurance with hospital cover, Medicare rebates may apply.
Why Sleep Dentistry Is Personal to Us
Dr Kia Pajouhesh, the founder of Smile Solutions, understands dental fear at a deeply personal level. At age11, a dentist performed a root canal on him with no anaesthetic while the assistant held him down. That experience left him with a lifelong dental phobia – and it is the reason Smile Solutions was built to prioritise patient comfort above all else.
“To this day, paediatric dentistry holds a very special place in my heart. If I hear a child crying at the very other end of my practice, I will get up from my chair and I will go over to see if I can somehow help.” – Dr Kia Pajouhesh
Sleep dentistry at Smile Solutions
Our dedicated general anaesthesia team consists of a Specialist Anaesthetist, a registered nurse, an experienced dentist or specialist 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 practice. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m scared of needles – can you make injections hurt less?
For patients who fear needles, Smile Solutions uses computer-controlled anaesthetic delivery systems thatsignificantly minimise the discomfort of injections:
DentaPen – cordless, computer-controlled delivery
STA Wand – the gold standard for needle-phobic patients
These devices deliver anaesthetic at a controlled rate and pressure, significantly reducing the sensationassociated with traditional syringes.
Will I feel anything during the procedure?
No. Under general anaesthesia or IV sedation, you will not feel or remember anything. Under nitrous oxide, you will feel deeply relaxed but remain conscious. Your specialist anaesthetist will explain what to expect based on the sedation option chosen for your case.
How long does it take to wake up?
Most patients are awake within minutes of the procedure ending. You will spend time in our dedicated recovery room, monitored by a registered nurse, until you are fully alert and comfortable. Recovery from IV sedation or general anaesthesia typically takes 30-60 minutes before you are ready to leave.
Can I drive home after sleep dentistry?
No. After IV sedation or general anaesthesia, you must not drive for 24 hours. You will need a responsible adult to accompany you home. We recommend arranging transport before your appointment.
Do I need to fast before the appointment?
Yes. For IV sedation and general anaesthesia, you will be asked to fast (no food or drink) for a minimum of 6 hours before your appointment. Your treatment coordinator will provide specific instructions when booking your session.
Is sleep dentistry safe?
Yes. All sedation and general anaesthesia at Smile Solutions is administered by a board-registered specialist anaesthetist with full monitoring equipment. Patient safety is the highest priority. Our anaesthetists are the same specialists who work in private hospitals.
How much does sleep dentistry cost?
The cost of sleep dentistry depends on the type of sedation, the duration of the session, and the procedures being performed. We offer complimentary consultations to discuss your needs and provide a personalised quote. Please fill out the enquiry form below or call 13 13 96.
Can children have sleep dentistry?
Smile Solutions’ specialist paediatric dentists provide sleep dentistry for children who cannot tolerate dental treatment while awake – including very young children, children with special needs, or those requiring extensive treatment. Options include teddy bear therapy, laughing gas (nitrous oxide), and hospital-based general anaesthesia managed by a specialist anaesthetist.
What if I only need a filling – can I still have sedation?
Absolutely. Sedation is available for any dental procedure, no matter how minor. If dental anxiety is preventing you from getting the care you need, even a simple check-up can be performed under nitrous oxide or oral sedation. There is no procedure too small to warrant comfort.
For pricing information about sleep dentistry and sedation options, please complete the enquiry form below or call us on 13 13 96. We offer complimentary consultations to discuss your individual needs and provide a personalised quote.
Contact Us
Contact Us
"*" indicates required fields