Sleep Dentistry Sydney

You are not the only one

A sedation dentist near me for anxious patients

Fear of the dentist is one of the most common reasons adults put off dental care. The people who ask us about sleep dentistry usually fit one or more of these:

• The long gap. It has been five, ten or twenty years, and the thought of what the dentist might find is almost worse than the treatment.
• The bad memory. A painful or rushed appointment, often in childhood, that still comes back the moment the chair tips back.
• The gag reflex. X-rays, impressions or even a mirror at the back of the mouth set it off.
• The big job. Wisdom teeth, several extractions or implant surgery that feels too long to sit through awake.
• The busy life. Wanting a lot of treatment done in fewer, longer visits instead of many short ones.

None of these are unusual, and none of them need explaining away. Telling us which one sounds like you simply helps us plan.

Getting started

Your first visit if you are nervous

Most nervous patients find the first step is the hardest, so we keep it small.

Ring us first. Call (02) 9725 6241 and say you are anxious and interested in sleep dentistry. We note it on your file so you do not have to explain it again at the desk.

Talk before the chair. Your first appointment is a conversation, sitting up, about what worries you, your health and what you would like to achieve. If you are comfortable, we take a look and any X-rays needed. If not, that can wait.

A plan you can take home. We explain which treatment could be done under IV sedation, what preparation is involved, and the costs in writing. There is no pressure to book on the day.

Treatment day. You arrive with your escort, an anaesthetist starts the sedation slowly and monitors you, and the team looks after you from start to finish.

Dr Dennis Lam's relaxed and empathetic approach is something anxious patients often appreciate, and he speaks Mandarin and Cantonese. IV sedation is always given by an anaesthetist. You can read about every dentist on our team page.

A different kind of sleep

Looking for help with snoring or sleep apnoea?

The words "sleep dentistry" are also used for something quite different: treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea with a custom oral appliance worn at night. If that is what you were looking for, Odontologie offers that too.

A mandibular advancement splint is made from a scan or impression of your teeth and gently holds the lower jaw forward while you sleep, which can help keep the airway open. It is usually considered for mild to moderate sleep apnoea, or for people who find a CPAP machine hard to use, and works best alongside a diagnosis from your GP or sleep physician.

Read more on our sleep apnoea treatment page, or mention it when you call and we will book the right appointment.