Lowell Sleep Dentistry

Some people call it sleep dentistry, but we need to start out by clarifying that term. It is really conscious sedation dentistry. To some patients, it may feel like sleep dentistry, because you often don't remember what was done in the appointment. But it's actually just a very relaxed state.

The Difference Between Sleep Dentistry and Conscious Sedation Dentistry

General anesthesia is a state in which you are truly asleep. In general anesthesia, your vital functions need to be maintained artificially. Breathing and even heart rate may be depressed. If something starts to go down your throat, you will have no coughing reflex to clear your airway. So there are some real safety issues.

With conscious sedation, your protective reflexes are all functioning. You can respond to requests to open your mouth, or other simple commands. We still take an extra measure of safety and monitor your blood oxygenation with a sophisticated device called a pulse oximeter. But rarely is there ever a significant departure from normal vital signs.

Conscious sedation is a good option for patients who have had difficulty tolerating dental procedures in the past, or patients who come in for very lengthy procedures. Lowell dentist Dr. Szarek has special training in the use of conscious sedation.

To induce the state of conscious sedation, he will give you an oral sedative to induce an advanced state of relaxation. Most patients will have no memory of the procedure once it is complete.

(You can learn more about the technique at our page on Sedation Dentistry.)