Is sedation dentistry the right choice for you?

Oral sedatives are another common and reliable method used in modern dentistry. A pill, most commonly Triazolam, is crushed and given under the tongue of the patient for fast absorption into the blood stream. Patients will feel relaxed during the procedure and may have a fuzzy memory of the procedure. Oral sedatives are generally used during longer and more complex procedures, but are sometimes also offered to patients undergoing routine procedures. This form of sedation is ideal for patients who are wary of injections or sensitive to other medications.

Intravenous, or IV sedation, involves the direct administration of the sedative into your bloodstream. This form of sedation is most commonly used during complicated and lengthy procedures. Controlling the concentrations allows the dentist to put you into varying stages of consciousness. You will be less aware of your surroundings, but will still maintain the ability to respond to verbal commands. Generally, patients find that they remember little or none of the procedure afterwards.

Patients who consider sedation dentistry often have different reasons, such as :

– Phobia related to dental work
– General anxiety disorders
– Previous bad dental experience
– Small mouth that becomes sore during dental work
– Sensitive oral nerves and resistance to local anesthetic
– A strong GAG reflex

If you recognize yourself in any of these categories, consider asking your dentist about sedation dentistry.