Oral Sedation Dentistry

The three most common types of dental sedation port huron michigan are oral sedation, Nitrous Oxide, and IV sedation, all of which are helpful in reducing dental anxiety and increasing a patient’s level of comfort while a procedure is performed. Each type of sedation has unique benefits and drawbacks. Nitrous Oxide is easily calibrated, inexpensive, and the side effects wear off quickly. IV sedation is also easily calibrated and can ensure you have no memory of the procedure being performed, however it is also far more expensive and has longer lasting side effects.

Oral sedation (Xanax, Halcion, Valium) is easy to administer and can be taken in pill form in the comfort of your home approximately one hour before the procedure, but is much more difficult to calibrate and has side effects that will extend beyond your procedure, necessitating a ride to and from your appointment. The sedative works by decreasing activity in the areas of your brain that regulate anxiety and fear, putting you in a more calm and relaxed mode.

Additional benefits of oral sedation include:

  • Safe: Oral sedatives are FDA approved and there is very low risk of experiencing serious side effects.
    No needles: Fear of needles is a very common concern for patients. Unlike IV sedation, oral sedation can put you in a calmer state without requiring needles.
  • Procedural amnesia: Depending on the dosage of Benzodiazepines, you may have no memory of the procedure being performed, which is ideal for patients who have dental phobia and/or who have difficulty sitting still for extended periods of time.
  • Responsive: While you may have no memory of the procedure being performed, you will still be responsive throughout, which will improve the ability of your periodontist to perform the procedure due to your retained ability to listen and respond to instructions.

What Are the Disadvantages to Oral Sedation?

While oral sedation may provide some patients with the exact level of support they need to remain calm and comfortable during their procedure, there are some disadvantages to taking oral sedation instead of other types of sedation, which include:

  • Slower to activate: Unlike nitrous oxide or IV sedation, which will cause effects almost immediately, oral sedation will take approximately one hour until the effects can be felt.
  • Prohibits driving to and from your appointment: Because oral sedation is taken prior to your appointment, and because you may continue experiencing side effects once your procedure is complete, it will be necessary to arrange for a ride to and from your appointment. The effects of Nitrous Oxide, on the other hand, will dissipate quickly, allowing you to drive to and from your appointment.
  • Cannot be calibrated quickly or easily: Different dosages of oral sedation are available, however because everyone responds to and metabolizes medications differently, it can be hard to provide the optimal level of dosage, whereas Nitrous Oxide and IV sedation can be adjusted in real time to meet the specific needs of the patient.

If you have dental phobia and have been avoiding treatment, contact your periodontist to see if oral sedation or a different type of sedation is right for you. By doing so, you will avoid developing bigger issues down the road and ensure you have good oral health.

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