Sleep Dentistry – Brampton, ON
What is Sleep Dentistry?
For some patients, dental treatment can feel overwhelming. Whether due to anxiety, medical conditions, or physical limitations, sleep dentistry provides a safe and effective way to receive care. With the expertise of our dental anesthesiologist specialists, you can be comfortably sedated—or completely asleep—while your dental treatment is completed.
Levels of Sedation
Sedation works on a spectrum. Depending on your needs, you may choose from:
- Minimal Sedation – Relaxed but fully awake
- Moderate Sedation – Drowsy, with little memory of the procedure
- Deep Sedation – Fully asleep, but can be gently awakened
- General Anesthesia – Completely unconscious and unaware
We specialize in providing deep sedation and general anesthesia for patients who prefer or require a completely asleep experience.
Who Can Benefit from Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep dentistry can help patients who:
- Experience dental fear or anxiety
- Are children who cannot sit still for treatment
- Have intellectual or physical disabilities
- Struggle with a strong gag reflex
- Have medical conditions making dental care difficult
- Do not respond well to local anesthesia
- Cannot safely receive local anesthesia
If any of these sound like you, sleep dentistry may be the right choice.
Dental Procedures Offered Under Sleep Dentistry
Sedation can be used for both simple and complex treatments. Common procedures include:
- Fillings and restorations
- Pediatric dentistry (crowns, extractions, baby root canals, space maintainers)
- Root canals
- Extractions and oral surgery
- Crowns, bridges, and dental implants
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Professional cleanings, exams, and X-rays
- Dentures, mouthguards, and nightguards
For children, sleep dentistry often helps create a positive and stress-free dental experience, preventing fear from carrying into adulthood.
Is Sleep Dentistry Safe?
Yes. Studies have shown that sleep dentistry in Ontario is extremely safe, with a very low risk of serious complications. In fact, the risks are lower than many everyday activities—such as driving to work or even being struck by lightning.
As with any medical procedure, there are risks, but decades of research and clinical experience confirm that sleep dentistry is a safe and effective option.
Possible Side Effects
Most patients recover quickly. In some cases, temporary side effects may include:
- Mild nausea or vomiting
- Feeling cold or shivery
- Bruising near the IV site
- Dry mouth or sore throat
- Lightheadedness
- Short-term memory loss or confusion (more common in older adults)
These effects are generally short-lived and resolve within hours to a day.
Sleep Dentistry for Children
Understandably, many parents are concerned about the effects of anesthesia on young children. Research is reassuring:
- Large studies such as the PANDA, MASK, and GAS trials found that a single, brief exposure to general anesthesia in children under age three does not affect brain development, IQ, or learning ability.
- Multiple or prolonged exposures may require additional considerations, but overall, the evidence strongly supports the safety of sleep dentistry for children when needed.
Book Your Sleep Dentistry Consultation
If dental anxiety, medical challenges, or past experiences have made treatment difficult for you or your child, sleep dentistry could be the solution. Our experienced team is here to provide safe, comfortable, and stress-free care.
Call our office today to schedule your consultation and learn more about how sleep dentistry can help you.