Sleep Dentistry on the Sunshine Coast
IV sedation that makes dental treatment manageable when anxiety has kept you away. Call (07) 5479 5522.
Sleep dentistry uses sedation to make dental treatment calmer and more comfortable for people who find it difficult, whether that’s from dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or simply needing a long procedure done in one sitting. At CJ Dentistry in Alexandra Headland, we offer IV sedation for Sunshine Coast patients and plan each treatment around your health, your history and the care you need.
- IV sedation tailored to your anxiety level and treatment
- Judgement-free care, even if it's been years since your last visit
- Experienced dentists who treat anxious patients every week
- Longer or multiple treatments completed in fewer visits
- Clear pre- and post-sedation instructions so you know exactly what to expect
What Is Sleep Dentistry?
Despite the name, most sleep dentistry doesn’t put you fully to sleep. Sedation dentistry uses medication to bring you into a deeply relaxed state where treatment feels distant and time passes quickly. Many patients remember little of the appointment afterwards. Local anaesthetic is still used to numb the treatment area; sedation manages the anxiety and awareness around it.
The depth of sedation is tailored to you and adjusted during treatment. Someone who feels tense at check-ups needs far less than someone who has avoided the dentist for a decade or needs several extractions in one visit.
IV Sedation at CJ Dentistry
At CJ Dentistry, we offer IV sedation. Medication is delivered through a small drip in your arm or hand for a deeper, carefully controlled level of sedation that can be adjusted throughout the procedure. You’ll be monitored the whole time by an accredited sedationist while your dentist focuses on your dental care, and you must have an adult escort home. It’s often chosen for oral surgery, multiple treatments completed in one visit, or severe dental anxiety, and it suits everything from a single difficult extraction to a full treatment plan finished in one calm appointment.
Who Sleep Dentistry Helps
We offer four types of dental bridges, and the right choice depends on where the gap is, how many teeth are missing, and the health of the surrounding teeth.
- Dental anxiety or dental phobia: if fear has kept you from care, sedation breaks the cycle so problems can be treated before they grow.
- A strong gag reflex: sedation quietens the reflex enough for impressions and back-tooth treatment to be done comfortably.
- Long or complex treatment plans: wisdom teeth, multiple fillings or implant placement can be completed in fewer, calmer visits.
- Difficulty getting numb: some patients find local anaesthetic alone isn't enough; sedation changes the experience entirely.
What Your Sedation Appointment Looks Like
Step 1: Consultation
We talk through your history, your anxiety and the treatment needed, then assess whether IV sedation suits you and give you a quote for your dental treatment. Your initial examination is $90, or $128 for a more complex initial examination.
Step 2: Preparation
Step 3: Treatment under sedation
You’re monitored throughout while the dental work is completed. Most patients describe the appointment as a blur that felt far shorter than it was.
Step 4: Recovery and aftercare
You rest until the team is happy for you to leave. Your escort takes you home and you take the rest of the day off driving, work and big decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I asleep during sleep dentistry?
Usually not fully. Most sedation dentistry keeps you conscious but deeply relaxed, able to respond to simple instructions while feeling detached from the treatment. Many patients remember very little afterwards. Full general anaesthesia is a different, hospital-based service, and we’ll tell you honestly if your situation calls for it.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Sedation is well established and carefully controlled, and your suitability is assessed before anything is booked. Your medical history and medications are reviewed, you’re monitored during treatment, and clear aftercare rules apply. Like any medical procedure it carries some risk, which your dentist explains for your specific option at the consultation.
Will I still need an injection?
Yes, local anaesthetic still numbs the treatment area, but here’s the difference: with sedation on board, most patients are so relaxed they barely register it. For many anxious patients the injection is the worst part of dentistry, and sedation is what finally makes it a non-event.
Can I drive home after sedation?
No. After IV sedation you’ll need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you, and you should avoid driving, working and signing anything important for the rest of the day.
I haven't seen a dentist in years because of anxiety. Where do I start?
Start with a consultation and tell us exactly that; you will not be lectured. We see anxious patients every week, many after long gaps. The first visit is just an examination and a conversation about options, including sedation, so you stay in control of what happens and when.
How much does sleep dentistry cost on the Sunshine Coast?
It depends on the dental treatment being done and the sedation your appointment requires. We’ll quote your dental treatment at your consultation, and the sedation itself is quoted separately by the sedation provider, as those fees can vary. Health fund rebates may apply to parts of your treatment depending on your cover.
Dental anxiety doesn't have to decide your dental health.
Call CJ Dentistry on (07) 5479 5522 to talk through sedation options, or book a consultation online.