Oral sedation can help even patients with intense dental anxiety rest comfortably in the dentist's chair. There is a wide range of oral sedatives available to help facilitate patients' relaxation. Oral sedation for dental anxiety can make it possible to get the care you need.
Oral sedation for dental anxiety is available at Encino Cosmetic & Dental Implants in Encino and the surrounding area. You should never let fear make you neglect your dental health. Call us today at 818-578-2333 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
Dental anxiety can prevent patients from going into the office for much-needed procedures. In a 2017 study published in the Journal of Dental Medicine, 8.4% of all study respondents reported missing a dental appointment due to dental anxiety. Unfortunately, neglecting one's oral health can have disastrous effects on one's systemic health. Oral sedation can help.
Oral sedation uses medication to help patients rest easy during dental visits. Such anesthetics can have a minimal to moderate effect on the patient. Halcion, a pill in the same drug family as Valium, is one of the most common types of oral sedatives. It may make patients groggy, or it may even put them to sleep.
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There are many things to consider when receiving oral sedation for dental anxiety. Patients and dentists must have a frank conversation about the levels of sedation necessary — in minimal sedation, patients are awake but relaxed; in moderate sedation, patients are conscious but unable to speak.
In determining which level of sedation is most appropriate, our dentist may also consider the patient's pain threshold, their ability (or inability) to sit still in the dentist's chair, their teeth sensitivity, and the amount of dental work that must be completed. Our dentist may also provide patients with further instructions to prepare.
According to a 2014 article published in Medical Principles and Practice, dental anxiety is an extremely common phenomenon — affecting an estimated 36% of the population. A further 12% suffer from “extreme dental fear." Patients with high levels of dental anxiety were also found to have lower oral health-related quality of life.
With oral sedatives, dentists can help ease patients' most common fears around dental anxiety. Procedures can even become relatively pain-free. However, patients should recognize that dentists can only do so much. Those with more intense anxiety issues, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), should seek help from a mental health professional instead.
According to WebMD, there are four levels of sedation used in dentistry. These include minimal sedation (in which the patient is awake but relaxed), moderate sedation (in which the patient is mostly conscious), deep sedation (in which the patient is on the edge of consciousness), and general anesthesia (in which the patient is totally unconscious).
Minimal sedation is typically administered via inhaled nitrous oxide (or "laughing gas"), while oral sedation is generally administered via a pill. Patients who require moderate sedation may also receive sedation intravenously. Finally, deep sedation and general anesthesia can only be administered via an anesthesiologist or a dentist who has completed the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) program.
While oral sedation can help many patients get the dental care they need, there are some rare contraindication instances. In other words, there is the possibility that oral sedatives may not be suitable for everyone. Patients should notify our team if they have any preexisting conditions or are taking any medications, drugs, or supplements.
It is also crucial for patients to let us know if they have any allergies to medications. With all this information, we can determine if oral sedation is the appropriate option. If it is not, we can come up with a suitable alternative.
Q. How do dentists determine what type of oral sedation to use?
Q. How common is dental anxiety?
Q. Can I drive myself home after oral sedation?
A. No. You may be groggy or otherwise impaired after your appointment. Make sure to make travel arrangements in advance.
Q. Is oral sedation right for my child?
A. It depends on a case-by-case basis. In general, however, it is best to avoid oral sedation in children unless absolutely necessary. In such cases, nitrous oxide is usually the safest option.
Q. Will I remember my time in the dentist's chair after the oral sedative wears off?
A. Many oral sedatives have amnesiac properties, leaving you with little to no memory of the procedure. Many of our more anxious patients actually prefer this, as it essentially ensures that they will have no unpleasant memories of the visit. However, it depends on the type of sedation used.
Q. What are the side effects of oral sedation?
A. It is not uncommon to experience some minor side effects after oral sedation. These include but are not limited to dry mouth during or after the procedure, headache, nausea, and grogginess.
Q. Who is the ideal candidate for oral sedation?
A. The ideal candidate for oral sedation is someone who has had unpleasant past dental experiences. Alternatively, they may have extra sensitive teeth or an extra-strong gag reflex. Oral sedation can help make most patients more comfortable in the dentist's chair.
Do not let dental anxiety stop you from getting the oral health care you deserve. Call us today at 818-578-2333 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.