Dental Sedation Medications
Sedatives are taken by patients to assist them to relax during medical procedures.
Oral sedation Medications
Oral sedation is a method of sedation where the drugs get administered orally. Oral sedation treatment is preferred by patients who have a fear of needles or those with general anxiety before medical procedures.
Types of Oral Sedatives:
The most commonly used oral sedative is Valium (Diazepam). Others are Halcion, Ativan, Zaleplon, Vistaril, Lorazepam and Versed. Each drug is used depending on the level of sedation that the doctor wishes to achieve for the drugs have different chemical compositions. For short procedures (about 1 hour), Zaleplon gets used. For moderately more extended procedures (1-2 hours), Halcion is the preferred benzodiazepine for use and the more prolonged procedures (2-4 hours), Lorazepam gets prescribed.
Valium (Diazepam)
The medication drug is in the benzodiazepine family which means that it produces a calming effect to those who consume it. It boasts a longer half-life than many other oral sedation drugs. Valium can be consumed as a pill or in a liquid solution form. The effect of Valium takes about 40 minutes to materialize. The drug is commonly used where extensive dentistry procedures are being performed. It has a longer half-life than many other oral sedation drugs.
The drug is not recommended for pregnant women or lactating mothers should not be exposed to light or air and should not be stored in plastic containers.
Halcion (Triazolam):
The drug is majorly used for patients who require a short session of sleep of about 1.5 to 2 hours due to its short half-life. Halcion is used to treat acute amnesia and other sleeping disorders. Triazolam is not recommended for children, pregnant women, and alcoholics.
Lorazepam (Ativan):
Ativan is a benzodiazepine medication used to treat anxiety, sleeping disorders, seizures and in surgery to interfere with the memory formation of the patient and for sedation during an operation of a dental exercise. Lorazepam, sold under the brand name Ativan among others, is a benzodiazepine medication. It is used to treat anxiety, trouble sleeping, severe agitation, active seizures including status epilepticus, alcohol withdrawal, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
The drug is given 90-120 minutes before the procedure. People with allergies or that are hypersensitive to Ativan should not take it. Moreover, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid the drug too for it may have adverse effects on the child or the mother.
Versed (Midazolam)
Majorly administered in liquid form. Versed can be taken as a premixed syrup or can be diluted before consumption. Many patients who do not like swallowing pills prefer Versed to Halcion.
How Oral Sedation gets administered
First, the dentist has to be fully informed of the patient’s medical history. It is very significant for some patients may have some medical conditions which would result in serious side effects when they take the sedatives. The patient may also be taking some medications whose performance may be affected by sedation.
When the doctor confirms that the patient can indeed receive sedation, the doctor should be able to determine the level of sedation that would be appropriate for the patient depending on the procedure that he is about to undertake.
If a patient is being sedated for the first time, it is vital that the doctor gives the patient the lowest dosage possible. After the procedure, the patient can describe the effect of the drug, and that can provide the doctor an insight to the dosage that is right for that patient. The doctor is supposed to explain to the patient about the risks involved in the procedure and the side effects of the sedatives once taken.
DENTAL SEDATION SERVICES
At Dental Sedation Services, we provide high-quality, advanced dental anesthesia services to general dentists and dental specialists in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the New York metropolitan area. The anxiety that many patients experience when receiving dental care is significantly reduced when treated in a familiar environment. Our office-based anesthesia services make dentistry more accessible and affordable, while offering patients the convenience of receiving comprehensive dental care in their own dental practice. For more information, you can contact us at (732)986-3690, or visit our website.