07 Dec Take the Edge Off With Oral Sedation
Do you suffer with anxiety when it comes to receiving dental or medical care? You’re not alone; estimates indicate that up to 50% of the adult population can suffer with situational anxiety related to dental and/or medical treatments. One way that dental professionals combat dental anxiety and phobia is through oral sedation. This treatment option helps patients maintain a relaxed state of mind and body, even in situations where one would normally be very nervous or panicked.
Oral sedation is also beneficial for increasing comfort during procedures like dental implant placement and wisdom teeth removal. The medications used for oral sedation help control discomfort and increase the efficacy of anesthetics or analgesics.
How Oral Sedation Works
Oral sedation involves taking prescription medication. This medication is a mild sedative and normally comes from the benzodiazepine class of drugs.
Patients receiving oral sedation are not permitted to drive themselves to and from their appointments. This is because this medication can impair motor and cognitive function. Benzodiazepines are formulated specifically to control feelings of anxiety, panic, and intense worry. While these medications relieve anxiety, they can make patients feel sleepy and groggy as well.
Those receiving oral sedation will normally take their prescription one hour before their appointments. By the time a person arrives, his or her medication will have already taken effect. As the medication continues to work, patients can relax in our comfortable treatment chairs without oppressive feelings of panic and worry.
For those with severe dental phobia and anxiety, a tablet may be taken then night before one’s treatment to ensure that a person receives a good night’s rest. Dosages are carefully determined by our oral surgeon so that medication is effective but not too strong.
If you have questions about procedures like dental implants placement, wisdom teeth extractions, or jaw surgery, call Charlottesville Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center to schedule a consultation with our oral surgeon.