Oral Sedation

Dr. Nicholas and Steven Agapis are one of only a couple general dentists in the York area to posses an anesthesia permit to provide state regulated sedation in-office.

Who should use sedation dentistry?

It is no secret that most of us do not like going to the dentist. In fact, many people go years without even a check-up or cleaning. Some reasons for avoiding the dentist include:

• Fear of needles, drills, or other dental instruments
• Past traumatic dental experiences
• Sensitive teeth and/or difficulty getting numb
• Discomfort with the smells, noises, and tastes that accompany dental work

Depending on the extent of the work being done and the needs of the individual patient, we offer two different methods of sedation:

Oral Sedation (pill) ~ This type of sedation is ideal for patients with extreme anxiety when it comes to dental procedures, or for those who are having complex dental work that takes a longer period of time to complete. Although the patient is conscious, he or she remembers virtually nothing about the dental work being performed.

Nitrous Oxide ~ Also known as inhalation sedation or “laughing gas”. A mask is placed over the patient's nose, and the flow level is adjusted by the dentist until the patient is comfortable. One advantage of this method is that as soon as the dental work is complete, the patient receives 100% oxygen and the feeling of sedation is gone within a few minutes.

Talking with your dentist is the first step in deciding if sedation dentistry is for you. Whether you are afraid of needles, have trouble getting numb, or are simply anxious when it comes to dental work, you and your dentist can discuss your individual case and options