For many patients, anxiety about dental procedures can become a barrier to dental health – they put off dental examinations or treatments or avoid them completely, with potentially serious consequences.
Fortunately, modern dentistry allows us to offer a variety of sedation options to suit our patients’ individual needs. Even those who struggle with anxiety or gag reflexes can receive the dental treatment required for comfort, beauty and overall health.
Sleep dentistry, also called conscious sedation or oral sedation, can be a welcome option for patients suffering from anxiety who dislike needles. The patient is conscious and able to respond to directions if needed, but the senses are dulled, anxiety is dramatically reduced, and full or partial amnesia is induced – the patient typically emerges with no memory of the procedure.
Oral medication is provided prior to the appointment. The medication is usually a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines include AtivanÒ, ValiumÒ, HalcionÒ and VersedÒ. A dentist will choose which medication to prescribe for oral sedation based on the needs of the patient and the length of the dental procedure.
If anxiety is preventing you from maintaining a healthy dental treatment routine, talk with us today to learn more about your sedation options.
