5 Oral Drugs Commonly Used in Sedation Dentistry

Various oral sedatives have established efficacy and safety for managing fear and dental anxiety.

Anxiety and fear of going to the dentist persist despite the advancements in modern dentistry. Fortunately, oral sedatives in sedation dentistry have established efficacy and safety for managing dental anxiety. Oral sedatives can keep the patient awake while still having the desired calming effect.

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Everything went great today for her surgery but I do have some feedback about other things. My daughter was scheduled to be put to sleep to undergo a root canal. They ended up needing more anthesia which I was willing to pay for. Surgery was supposed to be an hour (I was told this before they started), and it ended up being 2 hours because of some minor complications. Noone came to the lobby to inform us. When it was over, I asked to see her. They said I had to pay first. I just paid almost 5k and they were more worried about an additional $300 before allowing me to see my daughter? This didn't sit right. I didn't say anything. I paid the bill and went to see my daughter. Dr. Hoffman is the nicest man I have ever met! He was outstanding. Also, in the weeks before her surgery, the office appeared to not communicate. I would receive a call saying one thing then someone else would say another. They were never on the same page. Last week, they needed to speak with me to confirm a few things. They called me at 8:16am then again at 1:06pm. Leaving me a voicemail that if they do not hear from me they were going to cancel her surgery. Wow! I work. I work 8am-5pm. I do not have access to my phone during those hours. They did leave a voicemail and I would have called the next day but they did not give me a chance before sending me an email threatening to cancel. Also, they had called me several weeks before to inform me I had no insurance. I called my insurance company and they said I did. Not sure what happened but it resulted in unnecessary phone calls during my only free 20 minutes at work. If your appointment is at 10am, do not plan on seeing anyone for awhile. All our appointments ran an hour behind. I think Dr. Hoffman is wonderful but the office staff needs some help. Not friendly at all. Noone even smiled! The nurses in the room with my daughter were great too.

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There are many types of sedation used in sedation dentistry, ranging from mild sedation administered through a breathing mask to general anesthesia administered intravenously. There is a range of oral sedatives between these two options that can keep the patient awake while still having the desired calming effect.

If you are not sure what substances are used during sedation dentistry, here is a list of the most common oral drugs that a sedation dentist may prescribe for your dental treatment.

Midazolam (Versed)

Midazolam is the most commonly used drug in oral sedation dentistry, and it is generally considered very safe, inducing only a mild form of sedation. One precaution usually required when administering midazolam is to reschedule patients with respiratory infections for the day of the intervention, as this drug has a greater impact on the respiratory tract than on the circulatory system.

Diazepam (Valium)

One of the drugs almost everyone has heard about is diazepam (Valium). It is used in various medical interventions, including as an oral sedative for dental surgery. The time it takes for diazepam to remain in a 50% concentration in the patient’s system is longer than with other drugs, making it the preferred choice for extended, complex dental operations.

Triazolam (Halcion)

For patients who have a hard time going to the dentist because of their associated anxiety, triazolam is often the doctor’s choice. Primarily a drug that fights insomnia, it has an effect on the patient’s anxiety level and helps them go through the procedure without remembering it afterward, which allows them to be unaffected by their dental anxiety and come back next time.

Lorazepam (Ativan)

Another benzodiazepine with amnesic properties, like diazepam, lorazepam is very useful in patients with anxiety, allowing them to go through their dental treatment without the effects of their anxiety.

Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine that also acts on the patient’s anxiety levels. It is used short-term to treat anxiety or help a patient feel sleepy or relaxed before a dental procedure.

As you can see, there are many drug options if your St. Louis sedation dentist recommends oral sedation for your dental procedure. Which drug will be chosen depends on how long it takes for the medicine to get out of your system, your allergies and sensitivities, and what is needed from the sedation itself.

St. Louis Sedation Dentistry

For over 30 years, the Dental Anesthesia Center has combined sleep dentistry and cutting-edge technology to help patients overcome the fear and health issues that have prevented them from seeking dental care. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.

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