Sleep Dentistry

Anxious about going to the dentist?

Imagine going to sleep in the dentist’s chair and waking up with a painless, beautiful smile!

At Dr Helen’s Dental & Implant Studio we provide a cost-effective, painless way to get your dental work done without fear or anxiety.

To see if sleep dentistry is right for you, please schedule a consultation with Dr Helen.

Sleep and Sedation Dentistry in Melbourne

Feeling nervous about visiting the dentist is really quite common. It might be a fear of needles or the noise of the dentist’s drill that causes concern. For others, it can bring back bad memories of negative experiences at the dentist in the past.

Many times the fear and anticipation about visiting the dentist is far worse than the actual experience on the day. In addition to light sedation and general anaesthesia, we will guide you through relaxation and calming techniques at our dental studio. At the end of their appointment, most of our patients say, “I haven’t felt a thing!”

Dr Helen takes it easy, slowly and gently, so there’s hardly any sensation while she carries out your dental procedure.

Treating Dental Phobia

If you’re looking for a dental phobia dentist in Melbourne, you’ve come to the right place. Dr Helen is an expert in dental anxiety and phobia treatment.

Dental anxiety is one of the most debilitating fears there is, because the longer you go without facing a dentist, the worse the problem can become. Dr Helen believes in creating a judgment-free, open space where you, the patient, is in control. She offers every option, explains every step along the way, and if at any time you feel uncomfortable, she lets you decide when you’re okay to continue. Schedule a consultation with Dr Helen and put an end to the years of fear and suffering you’ve experienced.

Dr Helen feels so passionately about helping patients conquer their dental phobias, she wrote the following open letter to fearful patients. Please take a read.

Sleep Dentistry

“Sleep dentistry” or “Twilight sedation” is administered by a qualified anaesthetist who will administer IV sedation or general anaesthetic. You go to sleep, we do all the work, and wake you up when it’s all done. How much easier can it be? You will have a very enjoyable day. Most of the time, we can combine many treatments into just one session. However, as is the case with root canal treatment, crowns and implants, several sessions might be required to complete your treatment. To be kind on your hip pocket, I usually advise to do follow up sessions under oral sedation, and most patients manage just fine this way.

What is the cost for sleep dentistry?

In addition to the fee for your dental treatment, an anaesthetist will charge for their service. Typically anywhere from $700 – $850 per hour, so the total fee will be determined by the duration of the procedure.

Medicare Rebates on Sleep Dentistry

The good news is, if general anaesthetic is administered by a qualified medical anaesthetist, you will get a Medicare rebate for twilight dentistry. This can range anywhere from 15 – 80% of the total fee. A dentist who works closely with an anaesthetist, will help you estimate how much you are likely to be out of pocket. On average, for longer procedures, twilight dentistry will set you back $2,500 – $3,000.

Options for Dental Sedation

Dr Helen: “More often than not, when a patient sits in my chair for the first time, by the end of the initial consultation, they typically feel calm enough to opt-out of sedation. Trust between a doctor and a patient can ease even the most troubled minds. So when you find a dentist who has your best interests at heart, you’ll know it.”

However, sometimes light oral sedation is exactly what is required. It could be an oral sedative pill such as Valium or Xanax, light sedation can and does help alleviate anxiety. Keep in mind, you won’t be fully asleep. You will be aware of what’s happening around you. Despite this, many of my patients describe the sensation like, “I was awake and aware but it’s as if it didn’t bother me”.

Light sedation is a cost-effective option, usually less than $100, and helps many of my patients. You will need to arrange someone you trust to drive you home as you will not be able to drive for the rest of the day. We also offer sleep dentistry under general anaesthetic, which is discussed in more detail in a section below.

I offer one-on-one consultations to discuss options, fears, and all aspects of dental phobia to make sure you can comfortably visit the dentist for routine treatment.

Some helpful tips

  • Injections shouldn’t hurt if done patiently.
  • Schedule a consultation instead of a procedure. Sometimes just having a chance to talk to the dentist without the pressure of an exam or procedure can help rebuild trust.
  • Look into dental anxiety medication. A light oral sedative can put you at ease before a procedure and can be budget-friendly. Dr Helen can recommend some medications.
  • Remember that Dr Helen can administer twilight dentistry, also known as sleep dentistry, under general anaesthetic at her practice for the most phobic patients.

Common Questions

Why Should You See Your Dentist Regularly?

My teeth are OK now. Why do I need to see you again?

Just because you’re not feeling any discomfort or symptoms, doesn’t mean your teeth and gums will be given a clean bill of health. If its been a while since you last visited a dentist, and you haven’t been observing stringent hygiene habits, there’s a possibility that there may be something we need to keep an eye on. Remember, prevention is better than cure.

Regular preventive oral health examinations can identify problem areas, and we can treat them before they become problematic, saving you time and money in the long-run.

People say to me, “Dr Helen, I just can’t make this month’s appointment, I’m far too busy. Anyway, it’s only for my routine examination.” What they mean is, it doesn’t matter, but it does matter. Attending your regular dental examination appointments is an essential treatment, it’s not just an exam, it’s taking control of your oral health.

If you experience dental anxiety, you’re not alone. Many people feel nervous about seeing the dentist. You might have expectations about the visit, or perhaps remember dental visits you had as a child. The reality of a dental appointment is usually very different from the expectation you might have. In addition to light sedation and general anaesthesia, we utilise several relaxation techniques at the studio. At the end of their appointment, most patients say, “I haven’t felt a thing!”

Many patients have a fear of needles. The reality is that the needle isn’t what’s painful. The discomfort comes from the fluid itself. I take it easy, slowly, gently, so there’s barely any sensation. In fact, some of my most fearful patients have asked me afterwards: “Was that it?” Another common concern can be the noise of the handpiece during procedures. It brings back bad memories for some. If you prefer to not hear it, you are welcome to wear earphones and listen to your favourite music. We have music playing throughout the studio, many patients find this soothing enough for them. Feel free to bring your own music if you like.

If you wish to discuss your treatment with us, please give us a call on (03) 9510 5597

If you are in pain, call our studio immediately. We’ll ask you a couple of questions about the nature and location of the pain, then find you a suitable appointment at the earliest opportunity. The priority is always to have you pain-free as quickly as possible, and in the meantime, there are a number of self-help measures you can take to keep comfortable.

If You Have a Toothache:

Here are a few steps you can apply at home to try to relieve the pain:

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Nurofen or Panadol (please make sure you are not allergic to either). However, you will need to see me as soon as possible. If you mask the pain and ignore it, the infection can spread and could become very serious.

If the pain is caused by debris lodged in a cavity, washing the area may relieve the problem.

Floss your teeth, and then run a toothpick around the gum line. This may remove debris that’s lodged under the gum.

Putting an ice pack on your face over the area that hurts may relieve the pain. Apply the ice for 10 to 20 minutes of every hour, as necessary.

If you will be travelling on a plane, the change in pressure when the plane takes off or lands may increase your discomfort. You should see me before travelling by air.

If You Have a Broken Tooth:

If the tooth is sharp, you can temporarily use orthodontic wax or a sugar free chewing gum to cover sharp spots.

If an area is bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops.

Apply a cold compress to the cheek or lips over the broken tooth. This will help reduce swelling and relieve pain.

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

If Your Tooth Has Fallen Out (avulsed tooth):

If you have lost a tooth playing sport or as a result of some other trauma, the best thing to do is to suck it clean and reposition it back into the socket. Do not worry about infections as you will require antibiotics anyway.

Call us immediately on (03) 9510 5597. If you are unable to reposition the tooth in the socket, the tooth can also be placed in milk, however keeping the tooth inside the mouth (between cheek and gums) is best as the saliva will help preserve the tooth.

Do not rinse your mouth or tooth with water as this can damage the tooth.

You can also check out our youtube channel for more advice on the top ten common causes of a toothache.

We sure do! Check out some of the options here or schedule a consultation with us today by contacting the studio at (03) 9510 5597. We can give you a comprehensive treatment plan with all costs and figures and provide the best payment plan options based on your individual needs.

Absolutely. Dr Helen knows how debilitating a fear of the dentist can be. She offers one-on-one consultations to discuss options, fears, and all aspects of a dental phobia to make sure you can comfortably visit the dentist for routine treatment. Dr Helen’s Dental & Implant Studio is judgment-free, if you have a dental phobia and would like a consultation, please contact the studio at (03) 9510 5597, and we will get you started on a path to pain-free, worry-free dental health. For more information, check out Dr Helen’s Open Letter to Fearful Patients.

About Dr Helen

Dr Helen’s work has restored the smiles of countless patients, even the ones who had lost all faith in their teeth.

She opened up her East Prahran Studio in 2008 after working across regional Victoria and gaining broad experience in emergency, surgical and cosmetic dentistry.

Her aim is to always provide gentle care with the highest quality outcomes for patients. From the first consultation, right through to post-op care, she ensures she is there for every patient.

Book Consultation

Give us a call on 03 9510 5597 or fill in the form below to book your initial consultation.

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NOTE: We will be in contact with you to confirm your appointment time.

Indicative Pricing

We would like you to be well informed, so we have put together a rough fee guide. However, each treatment is based on individual needs and requirements, and we will prepare a customised treatment plan for you after your initial consultation.