If the thought of having a mere dental cleaning makes you feel anxious and tense, you are not alone. There are many patients who suffer from anxiety when visiting the dentist. In fact, some people are so phobic they avoid going to the dentist altogether. Sadly, the dental decay and infection become so severe it is agony to stay away. Fortunately, there is a solution. Dental sedation for dental treatment in Leicester helps anxious patients get the procedures they need.
What is dental sedation?
Dental sedation covers a wide range of techniques used to calm and relax a patient before and during dental treatments and procedures. It can be used for anxious patients or simply to make patients more comfortable during longer treatments. Good candidates for dental sedation are patients with hypersensitivity, a low pain threshold, a severe gag reflex, or an inability to sit still in the dentist’s chair.
Can any dentist use dental sedation?
Most dentists are trained to administer minimal sedation such as pills or nitrous oxide. An increasing number of dentists receive training to administer moderate sedation. And very few complete the additional training programs for the more complex techniques used for deep sedation and general anesthesia.
What types of dental sedation are used?
In addition to the traditional inhalation sedation known as nitrous oxide or “laughing gas,” there are two other types of dental sedation commonly used for dental treatment in Leicester.
Oral sedation with Temazepam
Temazepam is the most commonly used oral sedation among dentists. Originally marketed as a sleep-inducing drug, Temazepam is part of a group of drugs called benzodiazepines that work by affecting the neurotransmitters in the brain. Temazepam is considered an intermediate-acting agent. It can be taken as a tablet or a liquid elixir that you swallow—no gas or needles. The usual dose is about 10 to 20 mg for an otherwise healthy adult of normal weight. It has a rapid onset and short duration making it ideal for dental procedures.
Intravenous sedation with Midazolam
Midazolam is the most common conscious intravenous dental sedation and is the next step if oral sedatives are not effective enough. The drug is administered through a catheter placed in a vein on the back of the hand or within the inner elbow. It is the intravenous sedation of choice because it acts quicker, irritates the veins less, and wears off faster. It is considered moderate conscious sedation. With Midazolam, the patient remains in a semi-conscious state and has the ability to respond to verbal commands and answer questions, but with reduced anxiety. The patient also preserves protective reflexes, such as the ability to breathe and cough. Vitals like pulse, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels are monitored throughout the procedure as well as during the recovery process. And because the drug has an amnesic effect, the patient may have little to no memory of the treatment.
Dental sedation is not right for everyone
Be sure to tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to Temazepam, Midazolam, or any other medication in the past. You should also tell your doctor if you have severe lung or liver disease, sleep apnoea, or a condition that causes muscle weakness. Let your doctor know of any mental health problems or if are trying to get pregnant, or are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. Both oral sedation and intravenous sedation can leave you feeling a little groggy for the rest of the day, so you will need someone to drive you to and from the appointment.
Do not put off visiting the dentist because of dental anxiety. Talk to your provider about modern dental sedation for dental treatment in Leicester and find out which solution is best for you.
