As your Pittsburgh periodontist, we at the Silberg Center for Dental Science want our services to be convenient and comfortable. We’ll always do our best to meet your needs, provide amenities, and talk to you about your procedures. But we understand that sometimes you need more than just reassurances, which is why we offer sedation dentistry.
Sedation has benefits for both you and us which help the procedure go more smoothly. First and most obviously, dental sedation can greatly reduce the discomfort that comes with some restorative procedures. It helps you to stay still and relaxed, so that the dental work is more precise and efficient. It can also soothe the anxiety some people experience in association with dental procedures, so that they feel at ease and have access to the care they need. We are happy to provide dental sedation wherever it’s called for. For your convenience, we offer both anesthesia and nitrous oxide.
Anesthesia can be either local or general. A local anesthetic causes numbness in that specific location, while you remain awake and alert. A general anesthetic puts you to sleep so you’re unaware of the procedure. Both will wear off after a few hours. When you come to our office, we’ll consult with you about your dental and medical history to make sure that you don’t have any unexpected reactions to these medications. In this way, we make sure that these options are safe for you.
Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas” is a sedative that is inhaled throughout your procedure in a carefully adjusted dosage. Depending upon the person, nitrous oxide makes patients feel peaceful, giggly, or sleepy, all of which mean a relief from anxiety. The sedation wears off almost immediately after you stop receiving the gas, leaving no lasting effects, which makes it ideal for patients who will drive to and from their appointments or who don’t need general anesthesia.
If you’re concerned about your upcoming procedure, contact our office today. Your Pittsburgh periodontist, Dr. Silberg, will be happy to discuss your options with you and help you see how sedation dentistry can give you the comfortable care you deserve.
