Sedation Dentistry: Types of Sedation

Millions of people are afraid of going to the dentist and, as a result of that fear, often put off necessary treatment until the problems become severe.  Now thanks to sedation dentistry, that doesn’t have to happen any longer.  People with high levels of anxiety and fear can now be sedated through various methods.  These methods of sedation can be used by themselves or can be combined to achieve the most appropriate level of sedation to accommodate different patients.  This article will look at the various types and methods of sedation available to patients.

Oral sedation can be prescribed by the dentist to calm fears the night before a procedure and to help with sleep.  It can also be used on the day of the procedure prior to arriving at the dentist or can be given at the dentist’s office prior to any dental work.  The most commonly used drugs belong to the class of medications known as benzodiazepines.  Most people know them by their trade names, such as Valium, Halcion, Ativan, and Xanax.  These drugs have anti-anxiety properties and can induce various degrees of sedation.  For the most part, they are relatively safe when used as directed by your dentist.

Other medications used for oral sedation include sleeping pills like Ambien or barbiturates or the antihistamines which can cause some sedation as well.  Phenergan and Atarax would fall into this category.

Another type of sedation for dental procedures is IV sedation.  This involves placing a catheter in a vein and delivering the medication in that fashion.  The medications that can be used include the IV form of the benzodiazepines already mentioned.  Barbiturates can also be used.  These medications are used for sedation and anxiety, but not for pain.  The dentist will usually use local anesthesia (a numbing shot) once the patient is sedated.

Narcotics can also be used for sedation as well as generalized pain relief.  Another drug which can be used for sedation dentistry is propofol.  The level of sedation with the IV medications can be deeper than that achieved with oral sedation.  Your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and oxygen level should be monitored during the sedation and the procedure.

The most common inhaled gas for sedation dentistry is nitrous oxide which is also known as “laughing gas”.  This is administered through a tube connected to a hood that you wear over the nose.  By breathing through your nose, you become sedated and calm from the nitrous oxide.

There are some other volatile liquids that are inhaled, but these typically induce a state of unconsciousness or general anesthesia and should only be used by someone trained in their use.  As with IV sedation, anyone being sedated with gas should be monitored as well.

These various methods of sedation can be used alone or in combination, for example oral sedation prior to arrival at the dentist followed by IV or inhalation sedation once in the dental chair.  By combining methods in this fashion, the desired level of sedation and anxiety relieve can be achieved.  For millions of people, the use of sedation dentistry can help manage the fear that they experience and allow them to receive dental treatments they would otherwise forego.