subject: What Does It Mean By Sedation Dentistry? [print this page] Sedatives are often used in the field of dentistry to make the patient sleepy so that he or she does not experience any pain during the procedure. Sedatives are a good option if the patient has severe dental phobia or anxiety problems. Some of the common sedatives used in the field of dentistry include anti-anti-anxiety drugs, tranquilizers, and anesthetic agents. Nitrous oxide is the most popular sedative used by dentists. Other sedatives are administered through the vein or orally in the form of tablets.
Sedatives are used for a number of reasons in dentistry. Certain dental procedures can take a lot of time and at the same time can also be very painful. Such procedures cannot be performed without the use of sedatives. For example, most cosmetic dental procedures such as dental implant surgery are performed under anesthesia.
The use of sedatives also eliminates dental phobia in the patient and provides confidence. Many people are afraid of visiting the dentist. If they know in advance that they will be sedated while the entire procedure is going on and will not experience any pain, they will not experience the dental phobia.
Before giving sedatives to the patient, it is essential to do some preliminary checks. Many people are allergic to certain medications and so an allergy test will be performed. If you have allergies to certain medications, you should inform your dentist about them.
The effects of sedative agents are amplified by certain foods and prescription medicines. To avoid side effects, you should inform your dentist about all the prescription medicines you are currently taking. You should also avoid consuming alcoholic drinks for a few days before and after the surgery. Alcohol interferes with sedatives and amplifies the effect. You should also inform your dentist about any nutritional supplements or herbal products you might be taking.
Sedatives are usually administered intravenously. However, if the patient has phobia of needles, they are given orally. Nitrous oxide in administered through inhalation.
Sedatives have very few side effects. One common side effect of sedatives is that you will experience discomfort for some time until the effect of the sedative wears off completely. However, this is not a serious problem. If anything unusual is observed, it is better to contact your dentist.
