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Discover Anxiety-Free Dental Care

Sedation Dentistry Philadelphia

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 Dentistry For Life in Philadelphia, we offer options to make visiting the dentist a comfortable, stress-free experience.

In addition to removing fear and anxiety from the dental experience, anxiety-free 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.

Conscious Sedation versus Anxiolysis

The types of sedation dentistry most patients are familiar with involve either the use of conscious sedation (pills) or intravenous sedation (needle in the arm). Did you know, however, that there is another state called Anxiolysis? Conscious sedation involves medication that keeps the patient in a depressed level of consciousness for as long as necessary, (several doses may be necessary) even though they are able to breathe on their own and respond to commands. Intravenous sedation is what most people think of as "going to sleep". Anxiolysis is a milder form which is used solely to reduce anxiety and the medication is only given once prior to treatment. After administration of either an oral or inhaled sedative, patients feel calm and happy while remaining conscious and responsive. This type of anxiety-free dentistry is very safe and highly effective in most cases and this is what is used at Dentistry For Life.

Oral Premedication for Anxiolysis

Patients of our Philadelphia practice who undergo anxiety-free dentistry are given one or two pills 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 anxiolytic effects take hold and their subsequent duration, it is important for the patient to have someone drive them to and from our office.

The oral premedications we use produce light sedation (anxiolysis) and allow patients to remain fully awake and able to converse with the dental team, while completely relaxed and free of anxiety. Because of the medication's amnesiac effect, the patient may not even remember the dental visit after the medication wears off. However, because anxiolysis is not the same as anesthesia, any procedure that may cause pain will require administration of a local anesthetic as well.

Nitrous Oxide

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.

Special Circumstances - I.V. Sedation

Dr. Barry Dubin uses the mildest and safest sedation dentistry method (anxiolysis) which works very successfully to control dental 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.

Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS)

Dr. Dubin has been a member of the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS), North America's most recognized dental sedation educator, since 2005.  As a proud member of this organization, Dr. Barry Dubin has met the rigorous standards for training, experience, and patient care that are set by DOCS.

Contact Our Office for Anxiety-free Dentistry

Contact our Philadelphia practice to learn more about anxiety-free dentistry or to schedule a consultation with our dentist. Do not allow dental anxiety to threaten your health any longer.