Avoiding the dentist because of anxiety is extremely common, and it has a predictable arc. The longer the gap, the more there is to do; the more there is to do, the more daunting the return; and small problems that would have been simple become large ones. Most people who have not been in years know this already, which does not make walking through the door easier.
There are more options than gritting your teeth, and sleep dentistry is only one of them.
Start with what the anxiety is actually about
It is worth identifying, because different fears have different solutions.
- Fear of pain, often from a bad experience years ago when techniques and anaesthetics were different.
- Loss of control, lying back, unable to speak or see what is happening.
- Embarrassment about the state of the teeth or the length of the absence. Worth saying plainly: this is routine for us, and judgement is not part of the appointment.
- Specific triggers such as the sound of the drill, the needle, or the sensation of instruments at the back of the mouth.
- Gagging, which is a physical reflex rather than a psychological fear, and is managed differently.
Measures worth trying before sedation
- A consultation with no treatment. Come in, sit in the chair, talk, leave. Nothing done. This is a legitimate appointment to book and it helps many people considerably.
- A stop signal. Agree a hand signal that stops everything immediately. Knowing you can stop is often what makes stopping unnecessary.
- Morning appointments, so you are not spending a day anticipating it.
- Headphones and your own music or a podcast. Removes the sounds that trigger many people.
- Topical anaesthetic gel before any injection, and a slow injection technique. The sting most people remember comes from speed, not the needle.
- Breaking treatment into shorter visits, or conversely doing more per visit to reduce the number of appointments. Which suits you is worth discussing.
- Bringing someone with you. Entirely fine.
What sleep dentistry involves
Sleep dentistry refers to treatment carried out under general anaesthesia, administered by a qualified anaesthetist, so that you are asleep and unaware for the duration. It is not the same as the lighter sedation options where you remain conscious but relaxed.
Because an anaesthetist is involved, the process includes a pre-operative assessment of your medical history and fitness for anaesthesia, fasting instructions beforehand, monitoring throughout, and a recovery period afterwards. You will need someone to take you home and stay with you, and you should not drive, sign legal documents or make significant decisions for the rest of the day.
The practical advantage is that a large amount of treatment can be completed in a single session that might otherwise require many separate appointments. For someone facing extensive work after years of avoidance, that can be the difference between starting and not starting.
Who it suits
- People with severe dental anxiety or phobia that has not responded to other measures.
- People needing extensive treatment who would prefer it completed in one session.
- Complex surgical procedures, including some implant and extraction cases.
- Patients with a strong gag reflex that makes treatment impractical.
- Some patients with special needs or medical conditions that make conscious treatment difficult.
It is not suitable for everyone. Certain medical conditions, some medications and pregnancy affect eligibility, and that assessment is made by the anaesthetist rather than the dentist.
What it costs
General anaesthesia fees vary case by case, depending on the length of the session and the anaesthetist’s fee, and are discussed after an initial consultation once the scope of treatment is known. The dental treatment itself is quoted separately and itemised. Some health funds contribute toward hospital or anaesthetic costs depending on your level of cover, and it is worth checking with your fund in advance.
Our price list sets out fees for individual treatments, and there is more on our sleep dentistry page.
If it has been years
Book the consultation, not the treatment. Say on the phone that you are anxious and that it has been a long time, so the appointment can be booked with more time and the right expectations. The first visit is an examination, x-rays, photographs and a conversation about what you want to do and in what order. Nothing is done that day unless you ask for it. Having a written plan, with costs and a sequence, turns an undefined worry into a list, and lists are considerably more manageable.
Common questions
Will I feel anything under general anaesthesia?
No. You are unconscious for the procedure and will not be aware of it. The anaesthetist monitors you throughout.
How long is the recovery?
Most people are alert within a few hours but should rest for the remainder of the day and have someone with them. Grogginess, nausea and a sore throat are possible and usually short-lived. The dental treatment itself has its own recovery depending on what was done.
Is there an alternative if I do not want a general anaesthetic?
Yes. Behavioural measures, topical and local anaesthetic technique, and shorter staged appointments help many people. Discuss the options at the consultation.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes, and for treatment under general anaesthesia you will need someone to take you home and remain with you afterwards.
Booking an appointment in Canberra City
Civic Gentle Dental Care is a dentist in Canberra at Suite 8, Level 3/161 London Circuit, Canberra City, a short walk from the Canberra Centre. To arrange an appointment, call (02) 6247 0224 or send us a message through our contact page.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual dental advice. Whether a treatment is suitable for you, and what it will involve, can only be determined after an examination by a dentist. Any prices mentioned are estimates drawn from our current price guide and are not a quote.