The Dental Assassin
The Dental Assassin
A bored lady sharing her dental knowledge across the web.
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Advances in Sedation Dentistry

10/3/2019 11:11:31 AM   |   Comments: 0   |   Views: 51
Sedation dentistry is beginning to shine as dentistry continues to advance. People are wanting to have a calm and comfortable procedure in the dental chair as they're are getting their teeth drilled into. Where are we in sedation dentistry, are there any drawbacks to providing sedation inside the dental office. In this article we will explore a few avenues that show the pluses and minuses of being sedated at your local dentist. 

The common medications used for IV Sedation

IV sedation seems to be the gold-standard in sedation dentistry. With an IV catheter inserted into your vein, medications can be given to help you relax and even sleep through your procedures. What are the common medications that dentists are using to sedate their patients? Let's look into those now.

Midazolam (Versed): This medication is part of the benzodiazepine family of drugs (same family as oral Valium), and it is one of the more common medications that are given in sedation dentistry. 

Fentanyl: This is an opioid medication that is usually given in conjunction with Versed. This medication helps with the sedation process and also helps with pain control. 

Propofol: This is a very powerful sedative that is given to promote deeper IV sedation levels, and even general anesthesia. It must be given carefully because an overdose of this medication can cause severe air inhibition. Great care must be used giving propofol, and in many states it is usually given only by oral surgeons, and  dental anesthesiologists.

Ketamine: Another powerful medication given during IV Sedation, Ketamine is usually mixed in with these drugs to give a hallucinogenic feel to your sedation experience. It's a wonderful drug to give patients as an additive to the other medications already mentioned.

Downsides of sedation dentistry:

There are downsides to sedation dentistry. Great care must be taken when providing patients with IV sedatives. The major problem when reaching deeper sedation levels is airway closure and inhibition. Overdosing patients with any of the above medications may lead to airway problems which can be a life threatening emergency. You have to make sure your dentist or surgeon is well-trained to handle emergencies because they will come about in the dental office.

Proper training with trained staff is a must when choosing your sedation dentist. Make sure you look at your dentist's credentials to make sure they can handle any and all emergencies that may come up.



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