Sedation Dentistry
If you are one of the over 100 million people in the United States who:
Hates needles and shots
Has a bad gagging reflex
Has complex dental needs
Has difficulty getting numb
Has extremely sensitive teeth
Avoids going to the dentist due to fear
Are embarrassed about neglecting your teeth
Has had traumatic or unpleasant dental experiences
Has time restrictions which don't allow multiple dental visits
you are a candidate for Sedation Dentistry


How It Works
After a thorough medical history review and comprehensive dental evaluation, a treatment plan specific to your dental needs will be presented. If you have insurance, it will be reviewed to see how it relates to the treatment you need. We offer several options for payment and if necessary, we will help you with the financial arrangements. A schedule will be proposed to complete your treatment in as few appointments as possible. The type of sedation which will work best for you will be discussed and you will have the opportunity to ask any question you may have. You may need be escorted to the office by your spouse, friend or relative. After the appointment, you will be mostly unaware of the procedures and have little or no memory of the treatment.

The medications used for Sedation Dentistry are very safe having been prescribed millions of times for more than thirty years for dental sedation. You are monitored constantly during your visit.

This practice has made a commitment to your health and safety by qualifying for a permit from the PA State Board of Licensing to administer sedation. Sedation permits are granted only to those dentists who have extensive training in sedation and the handling of emergency situations.

There are 3 primary techniques used for Sedation Dentistry. Sedation can be administered by IV, Orally, with Nitrous Oxide or a combination of these techniques.


Intravenous Conscious Sedation (IV)
Medication given by IV is placed directly in the bloodstream. This is a major advantage since the medication does not need to be absorbed by the stomach to reach it's desired effect. Effects of IV sedation are immediate allowing the doctor to make precise adjustments in the amount of drugs needed to reach the appropriate level of sedation. You must have an escort to drive you to and from your appointment.


Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral sedation is produced by swallowing pills. The main advantage is ease of administration. Since the drug needs to be absorbed by the stomach to reach the bloodstream, oral sedation is less predictable than IV and it takes longer to reach the desired effect. You must be escorted to and from your appointment.


Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen
Inhalation conscious sedation is produced by breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen also known as Laughing Gas. The advantages of nitrous oxide/oxygen are the ease of administration and the absorption and elimination from the body is very rapid. It works best for mild to moderate anxiety. You generally do not need an escort to drive you to and from your appointment.


The advantages to you for completing your dental treatment with sedation could be:
Improving your overall health by elimination of oral pathology and infection
Being able to chew your food with no pain
A beautiful smile giving you renewed life-changing confidence
Comfortable, stress-free dental appointments with little or no memory of the procedures afterward

If SEDATION DENTISTRY sounds like it will help you, feel free to call 724-349-2371 to schedule a complimentary evaluation. It may change the way you think of dental appointments forever!
 

Advancements in technology in multiple fields affect nearly every aspect of our lives. Likewise, advancements in technology, techniques and materials in dentistry have forever changed our approach to our profession. The purpose of this web site is to not only introduce you to my practice but also inform you of the many advanced philosophies, techniques and procedures offered. Thank you for your interest.

Dennis R. Brumbaugh, DMD.