Dental anxiety is a common phobia, and it unfortunately leads many people to procrastinate about going to the dentist’s office until they are in unbearable pain. Luckily, many dentist’s offices today offer conscious IV sedation to help people sit comfortably through routine exams and cleanings as well as more complicated procedures. Here are a few IV sedation medicines your dentist may use to help you relax in the chair so you can enjoy the clean feeling afterward.
Midazolam
Midazolam is a common drug used in dental sedation. Being a derivative of the benzodiazepine class of drugs, it reduces anxiety and temporarily clouds memory while minimally affecting the heart and lungs. The drug is administered via injection into a vein and the patient will begin to feel its effects about two or three minutes afterward. The sedated state usually lasts between one and two hours.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains that midazolam can be safely used in both adult and pediatric cases, but the drug should not be administered to people known to have a sensitivity to it. The Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (JDAPM) lists disorientation, agitation, restlessness, hallucinations, involuntary movement, uncontrollable crying or speaking, and aggressive behavior as possible side effects.
Propofol
Propofol is administered through an injection into a vein. The JDAPM states that this drug may cause pain during injection because it contains soybean oil, glycerol, and egg lecithin, though this can be addressed by including an anesthetic in the injection. The drug starts taking effect about 90 to 100 seconds after injection, and it can be continuously administered during the procedure because it is quickly eliminated from the body. The patient will usually recover quickly after the treatment is over.
Propofol can be safely administered to adult and pediatric patients, but they will need to be monitored during treatment because the drug can cause a fall in blood pressure. This drug should not be given to anyone allergic to it or any of its components.
Ketamine
A derivative of the psychedelic drug phencyclidine, ketamine is also sometimes used as a conscious sedation agent. It is administered through a vein and the effects begin to take hold after about sixty seconds. A JDAPM review maintains that it can relieve pain and cloud the patient’s memory of the procedure while allowing healthy breathing and cardiovascular reflexes. A single dose of ketamine lasts between five and ten minutes, making the drug more suitable for short dental procedures.
The safety and effectiveness of ketamine have not been evaluated by the FDA for patients younger than sixteen years of age. It should not be used in patients known to be sensitive to the drug or who may display adverse reactions to an elevation in blood pressure.
When it comes to dental anxiety, why stress it when you can suppress it? These are just a few of the treatments your dentist may be able to use to keep you comfortable during your appointment. Consulting with your dentist can help determine if any form of sedation is right for your next dental exam.
About the Practice
South Florida Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery delivers five-star oral surgical services in a comfortable environment from locations in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, and Royal Palm Beach, FL. Led by an experienced team of five oral surgeons, the staff is dedicated to making any patient’s time in the office as relaxing and stress-free as possible. Areas of expertise include dental implants, wisdom teeth extractions, and sedation dentistry. For more information on what IV sedation can do to make your next appointment comfortable, contact the office online.