"This article addresses some of the fears and concerns patients have about oral conscious sedation, an anti-anxiety drug administered via a pill just before a dental procedure."
A fear of Sun City dental treatment, whether it’s of the clinical whiteness of the exam room itself, the whine of the dentist’s drill or the prospect of needles, is something that affects a huge number of patients. Experienced Sun City dental professional, Dr. Kevin Gasser, has become entirely accustomed to dealing with patients that experience the entire spectrum of physical responses to fear and anxiety, from mildly sweating palms and a quickened heartbeat, to full on terror and tremors at the prospect of requiring some kind of procedure done. Oral sedation has gained immense popularity amongst patients that traditionally couldn’t bear the thought of their bi-annual Sun City dental appointments. Now, thanks to oral sedation, these patients are able to receive the professional attention they need to keep their oral health and hygiene in the best possible condition. In order to help you understand more about sedation dentistry, Dr. Gasser will, in this article, be answering some of your frequently asked questions.
Sun City Dental FAQ # 1: What does oral sedation involve?
The Sun City Dentist Answers: Oral sedation involves the delivery of anti-anxiety sedative medications, generally in pill-form. Patients are required to take one or two of these pills at least 30 minutes before their Sun City dental appointment in order for the effects to kick in on time for their treatment. Owing to the wonderful relaxing effect they have on patients, the Sun City dentist medications used for oral sedation are also referred to as “happy pills.”
Sun City Dental FAQ # 2: What kind of medication is used in oral sedation?
The Sun City Dentist Answers: The drugs used in oral conscious sedation typically belong to the Benzodiazepine family, also referred to as “Benzos.” You will probably be most familiar with the brand names Halcion, Valium, Xanax and Ativan.
Sun City Dental FAQ # 3: How does oral sedation work?
The Sun City Dentist Answers: Benzodiazepines work to decrease anxiety (and its associated physical effects) by binding to the receptors in the brain responsible for controlling fear. By reducing the activity of these regions of the brain, a patient feels far more relaxed, sleepy and detached from reality.
Sun City Dental FAQ # 4: Is there anything I need to be aware of when undergoing oral sedation?
The Sun City Dentist Answers: Benzodiazepines are very safe and their effects highly predictable so patients need not worry about any negative side-effects. There are a few contraindications for this medication, including impaired lung and kidney function, being overweight and having sleep apnea. These medications shouldn’t be mixed with any other Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants and this includes alcohol. Last, but not least, because oral sedation is usually administered 30 minutes prior to a Sun City dental appointment, if not before, patients are urged not to drive to and from the dentist’s office. You may very well become disorientated and your impaired concentration will make it dangerous for you to drive. If you plan on catching a bus or train, make sure someone goes with you, or you might end up missing your stop!
Sun City Dental FAQ # 5: What can I expect to feel under oral sedation?
The Sun City Dentist Answers: Most patients describe a feeling of light-headedness, of total relaxation and detachment from reality. It’s like being in a dream, only you are aware of what’s going on around you and can respond coherently to the dentist’s questions and prompts. Once the procedure is complete and a patient has recovered from the effects of oral sedation, it is common for them to not be able to recall anything, or at least very little about their Sun City dental experience. This is because oral sedationtends to cause amnesia for the duration during which the medication is in the body.