Dental treatment under sleep. Medicinal sleep. Sedation at the “Sa-Nata” clinic.

Modern dentistry never ceases to evolve and amaze. We live in a developed and technologically advanced world, and most of us understand that there is no need to fear pain during many dental procedures. There is a wide range of anesthesia methods available, and modern dentistry is focused on providing maximum comfort for patients. The “Sa-Nata” network of dental clinics takes utmost care of each patient, and our goal is not only to offer high-quality professional dental services but also to create the most comfortable conditions for treatment and procedures. Every patient is unique, and we want fear or anxiety about a procedure not to become an obstacle to achieving a healthy and beautiful smile. It is very important to us that you leave the “Sa-Nata” clinic with a smile and a great mood. Clinical cases vary greatly, and sometimes more serious surgeries are required. To avoid psychological trauma and ensure a comfortable procedure, the “Sa-Nata” clinics offer dental treatment under sedation (treatment in sleep). Some patients are also individually indicated for sedation, making it impossible to carry out treatment without it. Dental treatment under sedation is a modern and safe method of treating a patient in sleep through an intravenous injection of a special sedative that allows dental procedures or surgeries to be performed painlessly, without anxiety or fear. The patient is placed into medicinal sleep under the full supervision of an anesthesiologist and a special monitoring system that tracks pulse, blood pressure, and overall condition throughout the light sleep phase. This method is also suitable and safe for children. Sedation at the “Sa-Nata” clinic is performed intravenously using the drug “Propofol.” Propofol is a unique medication that ensures effective and safe anesthesia and is suitable for procedures lasting more than four hours.

Advantages of intravenous sedation with Propofol

The principle of treatment under sedation is that the patient falls asleep and wakes up with the treatment already completed — without anxiety, fear, or pain. Intravenous sedation using the drug “Propofol” has been proven over time and through extensive experience. It has been used in more than 100 million procedures worldwide, and its developer, John Glen, was awarded the Lasker Prize for creating the safest and most effective means of intravenous sedation.

• • A smooth induction of the patient into a deep, high-quality sleep identical to natural physiological sleep. The only difference is that the patient does not see dreams — which is actually an advantage, since some dreams may cause anxiety or discomfort.  
  • A comfortable and gentle awakening from sleep. Both adults and children wake up after the procedure completely rested, in a good mood, and without any discomfort, nausea, or headache. The patient wakes up naturally within 15 minutes after the end of the treatment.  
  • Rapid onset of sleep. Sleep occurs within 30–40 seconds after the intravenous administration of the drug.  
  • Reliability and safety — it does not cause allergic reactions (except for those allergic to egg protein). Propofol can be used safely for pediatric sedation as it has no side effects. During this medicated sleep, the patient’s breathing remains independent and steady. Propofol is a non-toxic drug and, most importantly, is quickly eliminated from the body. The sedative does not affect the internal organs.  
  • Uniqueness and versatility of the drug. The base of Propofol is a fat emulsion that helps bind and remove toxins from the body. Due to its special composition, it does not increase blood pressure or cause heart palpitations. It is suitable for frequent use in dentistry and for prolonged medicated sleep without negative effects on the body — both in adults and children. Its broad action range allows for individualized dosing and precise control over the patient’s consciousness and depth of sedation.

Which dental procedures can be performed under sedation?

• • Comprehensive treatment — when several procedures need to be performed in a single visit involving multiple specialists from different fields (for example, complex dental treatment combined with implant placement).  
  • Procedures involving surgical intervention: tooth extraction, implantation of multiple teeth, gum surgeries (plastic surgery), flap operations, sinus lifting, and similar procedures.  
  • Dental procedures that take more than two hours to complete.  
  • Prolonged treatments and surgeries for children: oral surgery, gum, tongue, or lip plastic surgery, and so on. Sedation with Propofol is permitted for children starting from the age of three.

How does sedation — the process of inducing the patient into a sleep state — take place?

• • Before beginning treatment under sedation, the patient must undergo a full medical examination and preliminary consultation. The specialist performs detailed radiological diagnostics and discusses all aspects and nuances with the patient. In some cases, specific laboratory tests may be required individually.  
  • The procedure takes place in a specially equipped dental room under the full supervision of a dedicated specialist — an anesthesiologist. The room is equipped with special anesthetic monitoring devices to control the patient’s vital functions, as well as a BIS monitor to track the depth of sedation and maintain the optimal dosage of the sedative — Propofol. This ensures that the state of light sleep is sufficient but not excessive. The anesthesiologist selects the dosage of the sedative individually based on the patient’s physiological characteristics.

• • Administration of the intravenous sedative injection. The patient falls asleep completely within 35–40 seconds after the injection is given. If the patient is a child who is anxious or afraid of injections, the injection site is numbed beforehand with a special gel. Moreover, our pediatric specialists skillfully and professionally distract the child so effectively that they do not even notice when the injection is done. Everything is carefully and thoughtfully organized.  
  • Dental treatment or surgery. During the procedure, the anesthesiologist monitors the patient’s pulse, heartbeat, and all other vital signs using special monitoring equipment. Throughout the treatment, a full team of professionals is present in the room — typically including a surgeon-implantologist, one or two assistants, and the anesthesiologist.  
  • Recovery from medicated sleep. Once the dental procedure is complete, the anesthesiologist stops administering the sedative. The patient then wakes up naturally within 10–15 minutes. If the patient is a child, the awakening period may take slightly longer. In some cases, after the sedative supply is stopped, the child’s medicated sleep smoothly transitions into normal sleep. In such situations, the child is not awakened — they are either kept under the supervision of a specialist in the room or moved to a rest area with their parents until they wake up naturally.

Indications for performing treatment under sedation:

• • Patients with dental phobia (fear of dental treatment, anxiety, or panic when seeing dental instruments, etc.)

  • Increased gag reflex in the patient

  • Allergy to local anesthetics

  • Resistance or insensitivity to local anesthesia

  • Large volume of necessary dental procedures

  • Extraction of complex teeth and multiple implant placements

  • Patients with special needs or neurological disorders (autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy, etc.)

  • Patients experiencing panic attacks (PA)

Preparation for medicated sleep:

• • 1–2 weeks before the procedure, it is recommended to avoid crowded places to prevent illness, as the patient must be healthy at the time of treatment.

  • 4–5 hours before the procedure, the patient should refrain from eating, and 3 hours before the visit — from drinking any liquids.

  • On the day of the procedure, the patient should wear comfortable clothing without tight elastic bands — loose-fitting or appropriately sized.

Sedation in sleep means no pain, discomfort, stress, or anxiety for you or your child! This completely safe treatment method ensures the fastest possible procedure and allows you to rest during the process!

Implant placement, pediatric treatment, gum plastic surgery, tooth extraction, and any other surgical procedures can be performed under sedation in the “Sa-Nata” clinic network! You sleep — we work! Professionally, quickly, painlessly, and comfortably at the “Sa-Nata” clinics!