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Senior woman taking medicine - Dentist in West Chester PA

Oral Sedation Dentistry in West Chester, PA


(610) 615 0160

An estimated three out of every four individuals have some level of anxiety about visiting the dentist. Dental phobia is a common occurrence that can have serious consequences when it comes to oral health and overall wellness. If you have resisted scheduling a dental visit out of fear or anxiety, the team at Briglia Dental Group in West Chester, PA is here to help. We understand how the intense feeling of anxiety can be overwhelming, which is why we offer compassionate and friendly care along with help in the form of oral sedation dentistry.

What is oral sedation?

Oral sedation is a type of prescribed medication that is taken prior to your dental appointment so that it has reached its maximum effectiveness while you are undergoing treatment. There are different types of oral sedation medications, so we’ll work with you to determine which medication and dosage is best for each patient.

What to expect with oral sedation dentistry

With oral sedation, you are prescribed a pill and given instructions on when to take it. The pill has a sedative effect, so patients will need to arrange transportation to and from the office. With oral sedation, patients will feel calm and free from anxiety, but will still be conscious and able to communicate and respond during the treatment. Most patients have little to no memory of the procedure and will simply feel like they took a little nap. Afterward, it can take a few hours for the effects of the sedative to fully subside.

Benefits of oral sedation

Oral sedation is tremendously effective in helping patients with dental phobia feel calm and relaxed enough to receive necessary dental care, but that is not the only time we use it. There are several other scenarios where patients may benefit from using oral sedation, including:

  • Patients who have a sensitive gag reflex
  • Patients who have had trouble getting numb with local anesthetic
  • Patients who have difficulty holding their mouth open wide
  • Patients who wish to have multiple procedure performed in a single appointment

Dental anxiety doesn’t have to keep you from having a healthy mouth. If you would like to learn more about oral sedation dentistry to see if it’s right for you, call Briglia Dental Group at (610) 615 0160.  We proudly serve the West Chester, Westtown Township, Downington, and Phoenixville areas .

Frequently Asked Questions

So, you may be one of the 10% of people suffering from dental phobia. Well, let us help put your mind at ease. Sedating a patient during a dental procedure is a very safe and effective way to reduce your stress levels while taking care of a variety of dental problems. Briglia Dental Group has extensive experience in dental sedation practices and will review your medical history before any treatment as well as monitor you very closely during sedation. Feel free to give us a call for a no charge sedation consultation to discuss your concerns and to ask us any questions you may have about sedation dentistry.

Conscious sedation is a great option for those patients who need to recover quickly. By combining the proper sedatives with anesthetics, it allows you to be semi-awake, while being very relaxed, totally free of pain with little to no memory of the visit. When your procedure is complete, you should be able to return to your everyday schedule the next day as you will need to relax and recover from the sedation medications.

No, most patients feel zero discomfort during their treatment and very minimal pain afterwards. When you come in for an appointment involving sedation, you can expect everything to follow the plan discussed before your appointment. We’ll make sure you’re comfortable, administer the proper sedation, and begin our procedure as you relax, stress-free. Some patients stay very relaxed while most others fall asleep altogether. You may have a limited memory of the treatment, but more often you won’t remember much of anything.

Simple answer: yes! We guarantee a stress-free, pain-free, relaxing experience during our sedation dentistry procedures.

You will feel groggy immediately after treatment, and a caregiver or spouse will drive you home to relax and recover. Generally many patients feel fine after a sedation appointment but need to be monitored until the sedation medication wears off.  Many patients will sleep when they get home as the sedation medication will continue to be metabolized.

If you gag easily during normal dental procedures, then sedation dentistry will help resolve this problem! Patients don’t have any problems with gagging while sedated.

Dr. Ron Briglia at Briglia Dental Group

Dr. Ron Briglia has been practicing dentistry since 1984. With decades of experience and extensive continuing education, Dr. Briglia provides the most comprehensive dental services.

He earned his Bachelor of Science from Gannon University and his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Temple University Dental School. He has received advanced training at prestigious organizations like Pankey and Las Vegas Institutes. He is IV and oral sedation-certified too.

Most of Dr. Briglia’s patients have continued with him in his family of patients for over 30 – 35 years, and the restorations he has provided them have lasted for 25-35 years – clear evidence of his skills and expertise.

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David suffered from exhaustion and obstructed breathing, and was impressed by Dr. Briglia’s contribution and diagnosis in his transformation!

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