Sleep dentistry comforts dental patients with extreme anxiety, heightened sensitivity or pain, even during a regular dental exam and teeth cleaning. Sedation helps patients breathe easier and comfortably relax during dental procedures. Defeat dental fear with dentistry while you sleep and learn more about other sedation techniques used for dentophobia.
Experience Dental Services in Comfort
Rest assured, dental fear is not uncommon. Many patients are sensitive to the sights and sounds of a dentist’s office and commonly associate these triggers with dental pain experienced in the past. Unfortunately, dentophobia can prevent patients from scheduling their regular dental checkups and cleanings. If you are a patient who can relate, have no fear. We address dental anxiety and dentophobia by offering a comfortable environment with sleep dentistry and sedation services available for a relaxed dental experience.
Tooth and gum pain is the top reason people avoid visiting the dentist. While some patients experience a bit of pre-procedure anxiety, others may become completely overwhelmed with fear of an oral procedure. Dentophobia generally stems from an unpleasant experience, and the fear generally grows with each additional visit. This prevents many people from receiving the dental care they need.
Anxiety associated with the thought of visiting the dentist for preventive care and dental procedures contributes to the avoidance of dental services. Sedation dentistry is the perfect solution for patients experiencing dental fear or anxiety. Through sedation dentistry, patients can comfortably experience their dental visit and procedure.
How Dentistry While You Sleep Works
Our dentists and Anesthesia team adhere to the standards set by the American Dental Association, prioritizing patient health and well-being at all times. Sedation or sleep dentistry is safe for patients in good health. Before suggesting sedation, dentists will thoroughly assess your health and medical history. If necessary they will seek medical clearance from your primary care physician or specialist.
Patients who are good candidates for sleep dentistry will be offered sedation options based on the type of appointment they have scheduled. Anxiety relief is generally offered to patients who experience heightened fear to allow them to relax comfortably during their dental procedure, checkup or cleaning. While some patients experience a bit of pre-procedure anxiety, others may become completely overwhelmed with fear of an oral procedure. When scheduling your dental appointment discuss the level of fear or anxiety you typically experience during dental procedures with our Patient Services Coordinator to tailor an appropriate sedation plan for your visit based on your individual needs.
Sleep Dentistry and Sedation Options
Sedatives and anesthetics block the signal between the point of stimulus and the brain. In turn, the brain is unable to register oral pain or a gag reflex during dentistry work. Three Rivers Dental Group offers a variety of sedation dentistry techniques to make your visit pleasant, comfortable and anxiety-free. Different levels of sedation from mild to moderate can be used depending on a patient’s needs. Before administering any sedative, our doctors will review your personal medical and dental history, and select the option best for you, including:
- Oral Sedation
Offered in pill form for minimal anxiety and pain relief, usually taken one hour before a dental procedure. Dosage fluctuates based on the dental procedure being delivered. Some patients may feel drowsy or fall asleep with this sedation type. - Inhaled Minimal Sedation
Also known as laughing gas, inhaled minimal sedation helps dental patients relax. The calming effects of this sedation method wear off quickly following the dental procedure. - IV Moderate Sedation
A fast-acting intravenous sedation method with adjustable levels administered by a dentist to help patients relax.
No Sights! No Sounds! No Fears!
Three Rivers Dental Group is Western Pennsylvania’s leader in sedation dentistry. As one of the very first dental practices in the Pittsburgh area to pioneer the use of IV or what is commonly called “sleep dentistry” for patients who fear the dentist. There is no reason to avoid quality dental care. IV sedation is safe and effective and eliminates the sights, sounds, smells and discomforts associated with dental care. For patients who do not require sleep dentistry, Three Rivers Dental Group offers inhaled minimal sedation and oral sedation as well as headphones and televisions at the dental chair to help patients relax.
Oral health is integral to overall health and well-being. Don’t let dental fear or anxiety keep you from receiving the dental care you need. Contact Three Rivers Dental today at 1-855-NO-FEARS or schedule an appointment on our website to learn more about sleep dentistry options. We are conveniently located throughout the Pittsburgh area in Greentree, Cranberry, Greensburg, and Jennerstown.