Sleep Dentistry Sunshine Coast
Sleep dentistry on the Sunshine Coast, from happy gas to general anaesthetic
Sleep dentistry means having dental treatment with sedation, so you’re calm and comfortable, or fully asleep under general anaesthetic. Avenue Dental offers happy gas, IV sedation with a visiting anaesthetist, and general anaesthetic in a dedicated facility at our Maroochydore practice.
With sedation available across six practices from Caloundra to Bli Bli, you can be looked after close to home.
Your options
Dental sedation options on the Sunshine Coast
Four ways to make treatment easier, from feeling relaxed to being fully asleep. Tap through each one to see what it’s like and where it’s offered.
Happy gas
Nitrous oxide breathed through a small nose mask. It takes the edge off within minutes, you stay awake and aware, and it wears off quickly once the mask comes off. Happy gas is also an option for suitable children.
- You’ll feel: relaxed, light and aware
- Often used for: cleans, fillings, mild nerves, children
- Afterwards: we recommend someone drives you
- Available at: selected Sunshine Coast practices
Oral sedation
A tablet prescribed by your dentist and taken before your appointment. You stay awake but feel calm, drowsy and detached, and you’ll usually have a hazy memory of the visit.
- You’ll feel: calm, sleepy, a little hazy
- Often used for: moderate anxiety, gag reflex, fillings
- Afterwards: someone drives you home and stays with you
- Available at: selected Sunshine Coast practices
IV sedation
Sedation given through a small cannula by a visiting anaesthetist, who stays with you and monitors you for the whole appointment. You breathe on your own, and most people remember little or nothing.
- You’ll feel: deeply relaxed, little or no memory
- Often used for: wisdom teeth, implants, longer visits
- Afterwards: someone takes you home and stays with you
- Available at: selected Sunshine Coast practices
General anaesthetic
You’re fully asleep for your treatment, with your breathing and vital signs managed by an anaesthetist throughout. Our Maroochydore practice has a dedicated general anaesthetic facility, so this happens in a familiar dental setting with your own dentist.
- You’ll feel: nothing, as you’re fully asleep
- Often used for: extensive treatment, complex wisdom teeth, severe anxiety
- Afterwards: recovery at the practice, then home with someone for the day
- Available at: Maroochydore, in our dedicated GA facility
Quick guide
Which sedation might suit you?
Answer two quick questions to see which option is worth asking about at your consultation.
This is a starting point for the conversation, not a recommendation. Your dentist assesses your health and treatment before any sedation is suggested.
1. How do you feel about the dentist?
2. What treatment do you need?
Choose an answer to each question to see a suggestion.
This guide is general in nature and does not constitute clinical advice. Sedation and general anaesthetic carry risks, and suitability is assessed individually by your dentist and, where relevant, an anaesthetist. View treatment risks.
For children
Happy gas for children on the Sunshine Coast
For kids who find the dentist overwhelming, happy gas can help them feel calm enough to get through treatment. It's available for suitable children at selected Sunshine Coast practices, and our team will let you know where when you book.
Every child's medical history is assessed first, and happy gas is only used when it's suitable for them.
Before happy gas, we'll go over
- Your child's medical history and any medications
- Breathing, asthma or blocked-nose concerns
- How they've coped with past visits
- What treatment is needed, and whether happy gas suits it
Nervous patients
Sleep dentistry for nervous patients on the Coast
If the thought of the dentist has kept you away for a while, you're far from alone. Sedation helps, but so does how your visit is planned. Here's what we do before any sedation is used.
01
A first visit that's only a conversation
We talk, we look, and nothing happens unless you're ready.
02
A stop signal agreed upfront
Raise your hand and we pause. You stay in control throughout.
03
Someone with you, if you'd like
Bring a partner, friend or family member to your consultation.
04
The right level of sedation for you
From happy gas through to general anaesthetic, chosen with your dentist.
Sunshine Coast Dental Clinic Locations
What happens at a sleep dentistry appointment
Four stages, whichever level of sedation you have.
Consult
An exam and a conversation about your health, your nerves and which sedation suits.
Plan
Written costs and clear instructions on eating, medications and getting home.
Treatment
Sedation is started, local anaesthetic is used as needed, and you're monitored throughout.
Recovery
Rest until you're ready, then home with someone. We check in with you afterwards.
Is sleep dentistry safe?
For suitable patients, with appropriate monitoring and the pre-appointment instructions followed, dental sedation and general anaesthetic are well-established parts of care.
Your medical history, medications and conditions such as sleep apnoea, heart or lung problems and pregnancy are reviewed before anything is booked. For IV sedation and general anaesthetic, an anaesthetist assesses you and monitors you for the whole appointment.
All treatment and all sedation carry risks, and yours will be explained before you consent. Read about treatment risks.
Maroochydore
Our dedicated general anaesthetic facility
For patients who need to be fully asleep, our Maroochydore practice has a dedicated general anaesthetic facility. Your treatment happens with your own Avenue dentist while an anaesthetist manages your anaesthetic and monitors you throughout.
How much does sleep dentistry cost on the Sunshine Coast?
Your total is your dental treatment plus your sedation or anaesthetic. Treatment is quoted in a written plan, and you'll receive your figures after your consultation and examination.
Happy gas
Quoted per hour, based on how long your appointment is expected to take.
Oral sedation
A prescription from your dentist, with the medication filled at a pharmacy.
IV sedation
The visiting anaesthetist's fee is charged separately and quoted per hour.
General anaesthetic
Quoted after your assessment, including the anaesthetist's fee for your appointment.
Payment plans
Spread the cost of your dental treatment. Approval and terms are assessed by the payment plan provider.
Health funds and Medicare
If you have extras cover, claim your dental treatment as usual. If you're paying for it, use it. Some anaesthetist services attract a Medicare rebate depending on the treatment, so ask for item numbers with your quote.
Fewer visits, less time in the chair
For a lot of people on the Sunshine Coast, the hardest part of dental treatment isn't the treatment itself. It's finding the courage to come back for appointment after appointment. Sleep sedation can change that. When you're relaxed or asleep, your dentist can often complete more of your treatment in one longer visit, so a plan that might have meant several trips can sometimes be done in fewer. That means less time off work, fewer sleepless nights before appointments, and getting back to the beach, the school run or the weekend sooner. Whether this approach suits you depends on your health and the treatment you need, and your dentist will talk it through with you at your consultation.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute clinical advice. Individual suitability, treatment and costs depend on an assessment specific to you. Before proceeding, seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. View treatment risks here.
Your questions
Sleep dentistry Sunshine Coast: your questions answered
Can I be put to sleep for dental treatment on the Sunshine Coast?
Yes, if it's suitable for you. Our Maroochydore practice has a dedicated general anaesthetic facility, where you're fully asleep and an anaesthetist manages your anaesthetic throughout. IV sedation, available at selected Sunshine Coast practices, is another option where most people remember little or nothing of the appointment.
How much does sleep dentistry cost on the Sunshine Coast?
The cost depends on your treatment and the level of sedation. Happy gas is quoted per hour, oral sedation is a prescription, IV sedation is charged separately by the visiting anaesthetist at an hourly rate, and general anaesthetic is quoted after your assessment. You'll receive your figures after your consultation and examination.
Which Sunshine Coast practices offer IV sedation?
IV sedation is offered at selected Sunshine Coast practices, with a visiting anaesthetist who monitors you for the whole appointment. Call your nearest practice or book a consultation and we'll let you know where your appointment can be done.
Where can I get happy gas on the Sunshine Coast?
Happy gas is available at selected Sunshine Coast practices, and our team will let you know the nearest one when you book. It's the lightest form of sedation: you stay awake and aware but feel relaxed, and it wears off quickly.
What is oral sedation?
Oral sedation is a tablet prescribed by your dentist and taken before your appointment. You stay awake but feel calm and drowsy, and most people have only a hazy memory of the visit. You can't drive afterwards, so someone needs to take you home and stay with you.
Can children have happy gas?
Yes, for suitable children. Your child's medical history is assessed first, including any breathing concerns, and happy gas is only used when it's appropriate for them and the treatment they need.
What's the difference between IV sedation and general anaesthetic?
With IV sedation you're deeply relaxed and breathe on your own, and most people remember little or nothing. With general anaesthetic you're fully unconscious and the anaesthetist manages your breathing. Your dentist and the anaesthetist will advise which is more appropriate for you.
Can I have my wisdom teeth out under sedation?
Often, yes. All of our Sunshine Coast practices remove wisdom teeth, and many people choose IV sedation, or general anaesthetic at Maroochydore, for it. An X-ray shows how the teeth are positioned so your dentist can recommend the right approach.
Do I need someone to drive me home?
After oral sedation, IV sedation or general anaesthetic, yes, and they'll need to stay with you for the rest of the day. After happy gas, we generally recommend having someone drive you, and this is discussed at your consultation.
Does Medicare or my health fund cover sleep dentistry?
Dental treatment is claimed through your extras cover as usual. Some anaesthetist services attract a Medicare rebate and some funds contribute, depending on the treatment, so ask for item numbers with your quote and check with Medicare and your fund.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book a consultation directly online or by calling your nearest practice. If you've been referred by another dentist, bring any X-rays or notes with you.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute clinical advice. Individual suitability, treatment and costs depend on an assessment specific to you. Before proceeding, seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. View treatment risks here.
Flexible payment plans
At Avenue Dental on the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne, we understand that dental treatment can be difficult to fit into your budget, which is why we offer a range of different dental payment plan options.
