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Oral Sedation Used in Dentistry

Oral sedation has not always been used in dentistry, although it is a common practice in the dental world today. Oral sedation has many benefits for the patient, and poses very few risks.

  1. History

    • The history of oral sedation in dentistry is not very long. Anesthetics were not used in the first dental procedures. According to a history of nitrous oxide use in dentistry, in 1844 a dentist from Connecticut named Horace Wells saw the effects of nitrous oxide, and began using it on patients as a form of anesthesia. According to Ada.org, Alfred Einhorn, a chemist from Germany, in 1905 created the local anesthetic procain, which was marketed as Novocain.

    Types

    • Many different types of sedation are used in dentistry. According to The American Dental Association, moderate sedation methods can be used with local anesthetics to help patients relax during a procedure. These sedatives can be given before, during, and after the dental procedure. Deep sedation drugs can be used for dental procedures that are more difficult. These sedatives may cause a loss of feeling, and may reduce consciousness levels. Deep sedation drugs are used to hinder both pain and any anxiety the patient may feel.

    Methods

    • There are three methods to administering sedatives, according to The American Dental Association. These three methods include by mouth, by inhalation and by oral injection. Both moderate and deep sedation drugs can be administered through these three methods.

    Benefits

    • According to Sedationdentistryinfocenter.com, there are benefits to the use of sedation dentistry. These benefits include minimizing anxiety and a reduction of movement by the patient during the procedure. This can aid the dentist in completing the procedure problem-free. The use of sedation allows patients to relax during dental procedures. If anxiety is at a high level, patients may not return to the dentist for necessary procedures.

    Warnings

    • The risks for patient of sedation dentistry are few and far between. According to Sedationdentistryinfocenter.com, only one in every 250,000 deaths related to medical procedures stems from the use of general anesthetics. Patients may also have an allergic reaction to certain sedatives, although such reactions are rare.

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