Contact our Philadelphia practice to learn more about sedation dentistry services offered by our dentist.
If the thought of a dental exam makes you squirm, shudder, or even panic, you are not alone. Dental anxiety keeps many people from visiting the dentist. Unfortunately, putting off necessary dental care can place your overall health at risk. Contemporary dentistry offers a way for patients to receive dental treatment without fear, anxiety, or discomfort. At JFK Dental Care in Philadelphia, we offer sedation dentistry options to make visiting the dentist a comfortable, stress-free experience.
In addition to removing fear and anxiety from the dental experience, sedation dentistry allows Dr. Dubin to perform a great deal more dental work in a single visit than would otherwise be possible. This is an added benefit for those who have busy schedules that do not allow them to attend multiple, frequent appointments.
Most types of sedation dentistry involve the use of conscious sedation. After administration of either an oral or inhaled sedative, patients feel calm and happy while remaining conscious and responsive. This type of sedation is very safe and highly effective in most cases.
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Patients of our Philadelphia practice who undergo sedation dentistry are given a pill by the dentist, which is taken 30 minutes to an hour before the scheduled appointment. Because it is difficult to predict both how quickly the sedative effects take hold and the subsequent duration of sedation, it is important for the patient to have someone drive them to and from our office.
Oral sedatives can produce light sedation (anxiolysis) or moderate sedation, depending on what type of medication is given. Both allow patients to remain fully awake and able to converse with the dental team, while completely relaxed and free of anxiety. In the case of moderate sedation, the patient may not even remember the dental visit after the sedative wears off. However, because conscious sedation is not the same as anesthesia, any procedure that may cause pain will require administration of a local anesthetic as well.
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Common in dental offices across the country, nitrous oxide is a gas that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled, producing euphoric and mild analgesic (painkilling) effects. Commonly known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide has the benefit of wearing off very quickly, so patients are able to safely drive themselves home after dental appointments.
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Dr. Barry Dubin uses the mildest and safest sedation dentistry methods necessary to control patients' anxiety. In very rare cases, patients have such severe dental phobias that deep sedation is required. In these circumstances, an anesthesiologist provides I.V. sedation and monitors the patient during the procedure. Intravenous sedation is also an option for patients undergoing complex cosmetic or restorative procedures, but it is not necessary in most situations.
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The Sedation Dentistry Network is a service that provides referrals to dental patients who have varying degrees of dental anxiety. As a proud member of this organization, JFK Dental Care has met the rigorous standards for training, experience, and patient care that are set by the Sedation Dentistry Network.
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Contact our Philadelphia practice to learn more about sedation dentistry or to schedule a consultation with our dentist. Do not allow dental anxiety to threaten your health any longer.