Sedation Dentistry

What are some of the main benefits of sedation dentistry?

Patients who are so fearful of dental treatment are able to get the dental care they most desperately need. When a patient is undergoing sedation dentistry they have no sense of time. What seems like only a few minutes for a sedated patient may actually have taken hours to have their dental treatment completed. With this great benefit, very extensive smile makeovers and full mouth reconstruction procedures can be done in less appointments.

Dental sedation has allowed many patients to go forward with dental treatment they have needed or wanted for a long time. After the patients have completed their dental treatments they can now go for more routine maintenance visits. This allows patients to minimize future extensive treatment needs and know they have anxiety free options should they need more involved treatment.

The level of sedation needed varies by person and the type of treatment being performed. Sedation levels range form very mild to deep and are achieved through different types of sedatives. After a detailed health history, a list of current medications you are taking, and discussion with patients your dentist will help you decide which sedation technique is best for your particular case.

What to expect during sedation dentistry visit

Dental sedation allows your dentist to provide a calm state of relaxation so that your dental treatment can be provided in a less traumatic fashion. The primary methods of sedation delivery include:

• Inhalation technique/Nitrous oxide- breathing a mixture of Nitrous oxide and oxygen
• Oral sedation- taking a single or combination of pills that cause a relaxed state
• IV sedation- medication delivered through blood veins most commonly in arm or hand
• IM sedation- intramuscular . sedation through an injection of sedative into your muscles
• General anesthesia- commonly used for surgery and done in a hospital setting and not considered sedation dentistry

Regardless of whether you are receiving oral or IV sedation, it is important to have a responsible party bring you to or from your dentist visit.

Our team has had training to safely administer and monitor you throughout your entire treatment to ensure the safest treatment possible. Our office utilizes the following techniques to enhance your dental visit and allow you to have anxiety free dental treatment in our Pittsburgh dental care offices.

We utilize the following methods of sedation:

Nitrous Oxide - this inhalation anesthetic is commonly referred to as "laughing gas".   Nitrous oxide reduces anxiety and discomfort while harmlessly being inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose.  This amazing treatment offers a sense of relaxation and well being and works very quickly.  After the the mask is removed the inhalant wears off very quickly and patients are safe to drive themselves after about 15 minutes.

Anxiolysis/ sedation dentistry-  this technique is a very safe method that places patients into a relaxed state where they can independently and continually maintain their own airway.  The patients are awake and respond to normal verbal commands, but are in such a relaxed state, that they are anxiety free to get their dental work done with little to no recollection of time or memory of the procedure!

Dentist Dr. Dan Rairigh takes sedation safety very seriously. We have state of the art monitoring equipment and protocols to ensure your sedation dentistry is done safely. Most of our more apprehensive Patients take a small pill at our office prior to their dental procedure and when the patient ensures us they are totally relaxed, we begin treatment. The majority of patients can very effectively be treated with this oral sedation and nitrous oxide combination will little to no memory of the procedure. If you would like to finally reach the oral health or beautiful smile makeover you have wanted but were afraid to get, schedule a consult with Pittsburgh sedation dentist Dr. Dan Rairigh

Do you have more questions about sedation dentistry?

Contact us today by calling 412-854-2310 or filling out this form to contact our dental staff at Advanced Dental Solutions of Pittsburgh.

We offer 0% financing for sedation dentistry at our Pittsburgh offices

Ask about our financing options and payment options for sedation dental care when requesting an appointment for initial consultation.