Sedation Dentistry

Many patients suffer from dental fear and anxiety, with every dental appointment seeming to be an uncomfortable experience. Maybe you postpone dental treatments you urgently need because of your anxiety. However, avoiding necessary dental procedures may very well lead to serious oral health issues and create the need for more expensive, extensive, and maybe even painful treatments down the line. With that in mind, Sedation Dentistry may be the answer to your worries.

We are excited to have Megan Servinsky, a trained Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA Anesthetist) join the Commonwealth Team. Her sole focus is on providing the safety and care to our patients undergoing Sedation. Patients who require sedation or anesthesia for dental procedures know they can count on a CRNA to stay with them throughout their procedure, advocate on their behalf, and provide high-quality, patient-centered care.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is an easy and safe way to help you relax when you have dental procedures and treatment. We provide a safe, comfortable environment for you to get the treatments you need in order to have a lifetime of great smiles.

Dental anesthesia has a long history and continues to evolve in terms of techniques, drugs, monitoring, and safety. Dental anesthesia safety is paramount and is not always a one size fits all approach. In fact, there are several options available for Sedation to help ease your anxiety and calm your nerves.

Megan Servinsky, CRNA, MS, BSN

Megan Servinsky

CRNA, MS, BSN

Megan Servinsky, CRNA, MS, BSN, graduated nursing school from the University of Florida in 2005. After working for 3 years in the intensive care unit, she attended Georgetown University and earned her Master's in Science to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. She worked for a Richmond-based anesthesia group for 5 years, providing anesthesia care for patients having surgery in local hospitals. In 2016, she became an independent contractor and shifted her focus to providing anesthesia care for patients in the outpatient and office-based setting. Megan and her husband Jake live in Richmond with their two children, Ryan and Kate, and two boxers, Jasmine and Cali.

Oral Sedation

One option is oral conscious sedation. We’ll give you a pill that you’ll take shortly before your procedure. The medication will put you in a semi-conscious, relaxed state. You remain awake and calm throughout the procedure, but the chances are very good that you will have no recollection of it once it’s complete.

Nitrous Oxide

An old dentist standby, nitrous oxide is more commonly known as laughing gas. A mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, you’ll breathe the gas through a mask that is snuggly fit over your nose. You’ll feel the soothing effect almost immediately. Nitrous oxide helps you remain relaxed and calm during your procedure, and you’ll stay conscious and aware throughout. Once the mask is removed, the effects of the gas wear off very quickly.

IV Sedation

Usually reserved for more extensive and complicated procedures, IV sedation is also a good option if you need to undergo multiple procedures simultaneously. Once the IV is gently inserted into your arm, our experienced CRNA Anesthetist can place you into a moderate to deep sedation and will be there the entire time with the dentist during the procedure and will be monitoring the patient and administering the anesthesia. You’ll remain relaxed and throughout the procedure, and the IV is monitored closely to make sure you are safe the entire time.

No need to put off the dental treatments you need! We understand the anxiety you may feel when it comes to dental procedures, and that is why we are here to help.

Sound like Sedation Dentistry is the answer to your concern? Give us a call today at our Forest Hill Office: 804-532-4815 and we’ll schedule you a relaxing dental appointment and a consultation with one of our dentists to determine which sedation option is best for you.