Most Americans are anxious about going to the dentist…that includes people from Northern Virginia just like you! Don’t let your anxiety stop you from getting the proper oral care you deserve. Knowledge is power as the old adage goes. Understanding what kinds of sedatives are available can help you take control of your oral health.
The most popular types of dental sedatives are nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. Different levels of sedation (mild, moderate and deep) can be used depending on your individual needs. Dr. Bakhtyari, a top rated dentist in Northern Virginia is a dentist you can trust to administer any sedative, but Dr. Bakhtyari must first analyze your full medical history, taking note of any current medications.
Here is an overview of some of the most common types of dental sedatives:
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is an excellent choice if you fear needles. Oral medication is provided prior to your treatment in order to induce a moderate state of sedation. Though oral sedatives don’t cause sleep, they usually dull your senses. This means that most likely you will not remember the pain, smells or noises associated with the procedure. Usually, a dose of medication is taken before your appointment, and then topped up during the procedure as required.
What types of drugs are used in oral conscious sedation?
Most of the drugs used in sedation dentistry are classified as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines reduce anxiety, muscle spasms, insomnia and seizures. Each medication has a different half-life, meaning that the effects last for varying amounts of time. The estimated length of the procedure determines which type of drug is going to be most effective.
Here are some of the most common drugs used in oral conscious sedation:
- Valium® – This sedative has amnesic properties and a long half-life. It is usually used for time-consuming, complex procedures.
- Halcion® – Usually used to treat insomnia, Halcion is an effective sedative with amnesic properties. A short half-life makes this sedative useful for shorter procedures.
- Ativan® – This sedative is best known for reducing anxiety. It has amnesic properties and a medium half-life. Ativan is typically used for treatments shorter than two hours.
- Versed® – This sedative has the shortest half-life and is therefore less commonly
used. It alleviates anxiety in much the same way as nitrous oxide, and is used for visits that will take less than 30 minutes.
If you have any questions about Sedation Dentistry please contact us at Premier Dental Care your community dental practice serving Herndon, Oak Hill, Reston and the greater Northern Virginia area.
To schedule your next pain and anxiety free dental visit call us at (703) 860-8860 or email us at premierdentalcare@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing you!