Our aim is to help our patients have a safe and comfortable experience while also receiving phenomenal care.

Fairport, Pittsford, and Rochester, NY

At Pittsford Smiles Dental, some patients have more difficulty than others being comfortable at the dentist, for a variety of reasons. As a result, Pittsford Smiles Dental offers sedation dentistry.

Dr. Ricardo is a certified oral sedation dentist.

Am I a candidate for sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry can be an excellent solution for patients who suffer from dental anxiety. For these people, going to the dentist creates tremendous stress and anxiety that can become extreme or a borderline phobia. Many people even avoid going to the dentist because of their fears and anxiety. Do not let your fears hold you back from having a healthy smile. Sedation dentistry will make your dental visits anxiety-free.

Sedation is also an option for patients with any of the following conditions:

  • Jaw discomfort, or issues controlling muscles for prolonged periods of time
  • Patients who have several lengthy procedures needed
  • Difficulty reacting to local anesthesia
  • Strong gag reflex

Certain conditions may exclude someone from being a candidate for sleep dentistry.

These include the following:

  • Pregnancy
  • Allergy to sedatives
  • Depression of the central nervous system
  • Glaucoma
  • Resistance or tolerance to certain medications

How does sedation dentistry work?

Our office uses sedatives that have been well documented for their safety and effectiveness. The sedation makes a person drowsy and unaware of the procedure that is being performed but is not powerful enough to cause total sleep. Once sedated, several dental procedures can be completed in a single visit. If you plan on sedation dentistry, be sure to have someone drive you to and from your dental appointment.

Our staff is happy to answer any questions you may have about sedation dentistry. Just call our Pittsford, NY office today at (585) 248-2575 to learn more, or schedule a consultation.

Pittsford Smiles Dental provides total oral health care to patients in Fairport, Pittsford, and Rochester, NY.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sedation Dentistry

Many children are afraid of the dentist. Others are simply not old enough to understand and cooperate throughout the course of the dental treatment. Some children have conditions such as autism, Down Syndrome, or other special health care needs that have difficulty with dental treatment. Some children may simply need a large amount of dental work, and the thought of multiple dental appointments to complete treatment leaves them feeling overwhelmed.

Every child described above can find a satisfying solution through dental sedation. Our goals for dental sedation are as follows:

  • To guard their safety and welfare
  • To minimize any physical discomfort and pain
  • To control anxiety, minimize psychological trauma and maximize the potential for amnesia
  • To control behaviour and/or movement for safe completion of the procedure
  • To return the patient to a state in which safe discharge from medical supervision is possible

The final decision ultimately lies with the parent regarding the treatment plan recommended by your paediatric dentist. Your dentist will assist your decision by reviewing your child’s medical history, studying your child’s x-rays and providing you with advice as to whether your child would benefit from receiving dental sedation. Rest assured that when sedation is needed for your child, your family will be cared for by a highly trained and experienced team of specialists.

  • Mild Sedation. This is a drug-induced state during which patients respond normally to verbal commands. Although cognitive function and coordination may be impaired, breathing and heart functions are unaffected.
  • Moderate Sedation. This is a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients respond purposefully to verbal commands. With moderate sedation, you do not need help to maintain an open airway, spontaneous breathing is adequate, and heart function is usually maintained.
  • Deep Sedation. This is a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients cannot be easily aroused but respond purposefully after repeated verbal stimulations. The ability to breath independently may be impaired requiring assistance to maintain an open airway. Heart function is usually maintained. It is usually administered through an IV.
  • General Anesthesia. This is a drug-induced loss of consciousness during which patients are not arousable, even by painful stimulation. Patients usually require breathing assistance to maintain an open airway, and positive-pressure ventilation may be required because of depressed spontaneous ventilation or drug-induced depression of neuromuscular function. Heart function may be impaired.

Dentophobia is the fear of the dentist. Many people find dental appointments unpleasant but there are few who will not visit the dentist because their fear is so great. The fear of the dentist may stem from a number of reasons, the first being negative experience. If at some stage you have had a bad encounter with a dentist or in a dental chair, this may fuel your phobia. The fear of pain may also be part of dentophobia, though dentistry is almost completely painless now, the fear of feeling pain while getting treated is a driving one. The fear of needles is also a large player, particularly if your tooth condition would require you to get an injection. The fear of the smells and sound, especially of the drill which is again linked to less positive interactions. Whether it be one or a combination of these factors, dentophobia needs to be addressed because avoiding the dentist will only result in negative effects.

Regular check-ups at the dentist are important because it will not only help maintain the health of your teeth but also allow your dentist to perform preventative dentistry, saving you from further complications down the line. If you do not visit the dentist regularly, then you are likely to miss out on any small signs of issues or problems. A small cavity that can easily be filled and preventing decay down the line will not be tended to, resulting in potential further damage and tooth decay. The worst part of not maintaining your teeth is that if these smaller problems develop into bigger ones, the chances are that they will hurt even more and require extensive dental work that would have not been necessary had you come in for regular check-ups.

Sedation dentistry is used for those who suffer from dentophobia, a strong gag reflex, local anaesthesia complications, who need lengthy procedures and who have jaw discomfort. At Pittsford Dental Excellence, we use sedative that are well documented for being safe and effective. Sedation will not make you sleep completely but rather relax and make you drowsy and unaware of the procedures being performed. It is recommended that someone drive you home after your appointment if you receive sedation.