Benefits of Sleep Dentistry

Dr. Kevin Mahoney is a board-certified dental anesthesiologist and has been providing the benefits of dental anesthesia, as well as other pain-free dentistry services, to his patients for decades. Those benefits include:

  • Relaxation and patient comfort
  • Effectiveness of dental procedures administered
  • Time-saving - several dental procedures during a single visit

If you are one of the many people in the United States with a dental phobia, Dr. Kevin Mahoney and his highly trained staff can help you have a comfortable dental visit, no matter how old you are.

"By striving to offer the highest quality dental care, I hope to motivate you to choose excellence and to enjoy the long-term benefits of that decision. Fear and anxiety is the number one reason people avoid necessary dental care. I am dedicated to the comfort of those who place their trust in me. Sleep dentistry is an affordable, safe way to better dental health. I am confident I can help you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience."

-Dr. Kevin Mahoney

Special Considerations, Special Care

Dr. Kevin Mahoney is the only dental anesthesiologist in the Erie area certified by the American Dental Association. Dental anesthesia is a safe, effective, and efficient way to administer high-quality, pain-free dental care to those who would avoid or refuse treatment altogether. Dr. Kevin Mahoney has extensive experience working with a wide variety of special needs patients, including:

  • Elderly adults with dementia
  • Uncooperative children
  • Those who can’t get numb from local anesthesia, such as Novocaine
  • Those with dental phobias

Everyone deserves quality dental care, but not everyone deserves the same approach. For many of us, a typical dental visit may not be enjoyable, but it is still tolerable. For others, even routine dental procedures bring an impossible mental or physical hurdle. For these patients, sleep dentistry may be the ideal solution.


Dental Anesthesiologist Erie, PA

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sleep dentistry?

There are many differences between general anesthesia and IV sedation that have a big impact on how the procedures are practiced in sleep dentistry. Many dental offices use the term sleep dentistry when actually talking about IV sedation. This can be confusing because “sleep dentistry” is more similar to and descriptive of general anesthesia.

When under general anesthesia, the certified anesthesiologist manages your breathing through a tube. General anesthesia affects the entire body rather than a localized, specific area. When recovering, patients slowly come out of a sedated state.

A few of the main components of general anesthesia include:

  • You are totally unconscious (asleep)
  • You will not feel pain
  • You will have little to no memory of the procedure

There are several other forms of dental sedation in addition to IV sedation and general anesthesia including oral sedation or the use of laughing gas (nitrous oxide). The dental staff and certified anesthesiologists of Sleep Dentistry will help you determine which procedure best fits your needs and desires.

How long will I be sedated with sleep dentistry?

The amount of time you are sedated depends on the amount of work that needs to be done. We are experts and will be able to approximate the right amount of time to get the most amount of work done, resulting in fewer appointments and less stress. The average timeframe to be sedated is between 1 and 6 hours, although that may vary.

Is sleep dentistry right for me?

Sleep Dentistry is especially perfect for people with dental phobias. The dental staff of Sleep Dentistry Erie has extensive experience in practicing safe dental anesthesia procedures on a wide range of patients.

Multiple factors are taken into consideration when determining if you would make a good candidate for sleep dentistry, such as your overall health, history of allergies, and your anxiety level.

Dental anesthesia works well for people who have:

  • Fear of the dentist
  • Difficulty getting numb
  • A bad gag reflex
  • Very sensitive teeth
  • A limited amount of time for treatment
  • Complex dental problems, including extractions and immediate dentures

Whether you're someone who has a disability that prevents you from receiving traditional dental treatment or you simply hate going to the dentist, our dental staff can help by providing relaxing dental anesthesia treatment.

Is sleep dentistry safe?

Yes, Dental Anesthesia is very safe as long as it's administered by a certified dental anesthesiologist. They are extensively trained in the outpatient setting to make your experience as pleasant as possible.

Are there any other dentists who perform sleep dentistry?

Currently, Dr. Kevin Mahoney is the only doctor to have an unrestricted general anesthesia permit in Erie, PA.

Will sleep dentistry cure my dental phobia?

Sleep Dentistry is not a cure for anxiety or dental phobia. It should be viewed more as a temporary solution. Although some people have reported lessened anxiety after completing a session, this may vary from person to person.

If you or someone you know has a special consideration preventing them from getting the quality dental care they need, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kevin Mahoney online or by calling (814) 833-3505.

Where To Find Us

Address: 3915 Caughey Rd, Erie, PA 16506

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The Many Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

Posted on January 24th, 2022 at 12:06 PM
The Many Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

You deserve to look your best, and that includes your teeth. Teeth whitening has become more popular throughout the years, especially with the rise of at-home whitening kits. The overall health of your teeth is no longer the primary reason that people visit the dentist. Now, taking care of your teeth has just as many cosmetic benefits as it does health benefits. 

Typically, what you eat and drink is the most common reason your teeth may become discolored in the first place. Coffee, wine, tomatoes, berries, and soda can all be culprits of your yellowing teeth. Lifestyle and health habits can be a factor, too, such as smoking or failing to have a hygienic oral care routine. 

Simply put, people are tired of settling for discolored teeth. With technology advancing, and procedures like professional teeth whitening becoming faster and more efficient, you no longer have to settle.

Types of Professional Teeth Whitening

When you’re looking to brighten up your smile, it’s always a good idea to start by considering your options. The most popular options are in-office procedures and prescribed take-home trays. Scheduling a professional teeth whitening appointment will typically entail determining your desired shade for your teeth, followed by your dentist applying whitening agents for a longer period of time. 

Take home trays are where you come in. After your first whitening consultation, your dentist is able to determine how these take home kits can be formulated to optimally whiten your teeth. Perhaps you need a higher concentration of whitening agents, or you may need to use your kits more frequently. Either way, these can give you more comprehensive results. 

Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening lasts longer

Teeth whitening strips can last for months, but professional treatments can last for years. The upside of going to your dentist’s office for a whitening is that the concentration of the whitening materials is much stronger than what you can access with a home kit. At Sleep Dentistry, we offer a Lifetime Whitening Program, which gives you a lifetime of pearly whites for a one-time enrollment fee of only $99. 

That being said, the cost of professional teeth whitening could potentially be less over time, especially compared to how many DIY kits you’d need to achieve the same results.

Take home trays designed for you

Many dental offices offer take home trays following a consultation for professional teeth whitening. These trays may sound just like a take-home kit, but they’re not. Take home trays are specially designed based on the results of your in-office whitening results and your desired shade of your teeth. Because these take home trays are built from a mold of your mouth, your specific whitening treatment will yield results faster and more effectively. 

Skip the tooth sensitivity

A downside of having your teeth whitened can be the sensitivity that comes with it. With professional whitening services, your dentist’s tried and true methods don’t come with the risk of harmful side effects. No need to worry if whitening agents will touch your gums, tongue, or cheek. At Sleep Dentistry Erie, our team will be attentive to your specific needs and concerns. 

Better teeth whitening results  

When you choose a dentist over a DIY kit, you’re automatically going to get better results. It’s better to trust a trained professional dentist with something as important as your teeth instead of guessing with home kits. Sleep Dentistry Erie can ensure that you get the results you're looking for faster, while also keeping your comfort and the safety of your teeth our top priority.

Trust Sleep Dentistry Erie with Your Teeth

Sleep Dentistry Erie has an experienced team of trained professionals. We’ll assemble a personalized teeth whitening treatment that’s tailored to you. We specialize in dentistry for those who have dental phobias when it comes to making their yearly check-ups. 

Consider our Lifetime Whitening Program, which is offered to our patients for a one-time fee of $99. 

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