May 16, 2018

Are you avoiding dental treatment because of fear? If so, you’re in good company. It’s estimated that between 30 million and 40 million people feel the same way. Dental fear is a common problem that can make even the most routine dental procedures seem unusually scary.

Fortunately, Drs. Steven Crandall, Karen Johnson, Kathy Lopez, and the rest of the compassionate staff at South Hills Dental Arts know how difficult it can be to receive oral care when you suffer from dental fear. That’s why we do everything we can to create a relaxed, calming atmosphere that can ease your anxiety. As part of our efforts to make you feel as comfortable as possible in our practice, we offer sedation dentistry in a variety of forms.

Our Sedation Options

You’re probably familiar with the most common type of sedation we offer at our practice—local anesthetic. This is the type that’s administered by injection and numbs the treatment site. In addition to this common type of sedation, we also offer:

  • General anesthesia
  • Nitrous oxide
  • Oral sedation
  • IV sedation

General anesthesia is reserved for more complicated procedures or for patients who suffer from severe dental anxiety. When you’re under general anesthesia, you’re monitored by an experienced anesthesiologist the entire time to ensure you don’t feel any discomfort.

Nitrous oxide is commonly known as laughing gas and is administered via a special mask. It encourages feelings of relaxation and well-being during treatment.

Oral sedation comes in the form of a pill that you take just before your appointment begins. It allows you to remain conscious and follow instructions during treatment, but minimizes discomfort.

Like general anesthesia, IV sedation is typically reserved for patients with high levels of anxiety. It is administered to the bloodstream through an IV and helps you feel completely at ease during treatment while still retaining your ability to respond to verbal cues.

Schedule Your Appointment

If you suffer from dental anxiety, we encourage you to schedule a sedation dentistry appointment so you can comfortably receive the dental care you need. To get started, contact us at South Hills Dental Arts, located in Pittsburgh, PA!

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