Oral sedation dentistry

Oral sedation dentistry is a medical procedure involving the administration of oral sedative drugs, generally to facilitate a dental procedure and reduce patients fear and anxiety related to the experience. Oral sedation is one of the available methods of inhalation (laughing gas) and oral sedation (a pill).

Dental patients with generalized anxiety, belonephobia (fear of needles and sharp instruments), prior dental trauma, or generalized fear of the dentist can take oral medication in order to reduce their anxieties. A variety of single and incremental dose protocols are used to medicate the patient as early as the day before treatment. Medication additionally helps reduce memory or the sights and smells of the dental office to avoid recall of any trauma. The sedative effect allows more dentistry to be completed in fewer appointments as well as allowing complex procedures to be performed in less time.

The main advantages of oral sedation versus other sedation methods are:

• Ease of administration (you only have to take a pill)

• Effectiveness

• No needles involved

• High patient acceptance

• Amnesic effect

• Lower cost vs intravenous sedation