Dentist, Please Wake Me Up When My Dental Work Is Complete
In a survey of dentists conducted by dental management resource The Wealthy Dentist, over half of dentists reported that they offer oral conscious sedation to their dental-phobic patients. Patients and dentists alike rave about the benefits of sedation dentistry.
Oral conscious sedation provides more dramatic effects than laughing gas (nitrous oxide) or Novocaine while being significantly safer than general anesthesia. OCS patients are prescribed a sedative pill before treatment, The drugs used for this purpose are generally benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Valium, and related medications.
The sedation dentist goes to work while the patient snoozes through the procedure. However, the patient is never fully unconscious. Vital signs are monitored, but there are no needles or IV tubes. After the procedure, the patient will have little to no memory of the experience. If you have ever had wisdom tooth surgery or an endoscopic examination, you may have already experienced conscious sedation.
Laws regarding sedation dentistry and oral conscious sedation (OCS) vary by state. Eight percent of dentists in this survey said that they would like to be able offer the pain-free dentistry OCS allows, but state regulations make it difficult or impossible. These dentists are frustrated that they have one less tool in their arsenal against dental anxiety.
The safety of sedation dentistry has been defended by the American Dental Association. However, some within the ADA have recommended the nation's largest professional association of dentists overhaul its oral conscious sedation regulations. It's a matter of balancing public safety concerns against the need to provide dental care to the public, and dentists are torn over this controversial issue.
Dental sedation (commonly known as "sleep dentistry") is often used to treat people who are anxious, many of whom have not visited a dentist in years. It's also ideal for patients who are very young or have special needs. Patients may prefer sedation dentistry if they have sensitive teeth, dramatic gag reflexes, problems with Novocaine, or have had unpleasant dental experiences in the past. It can also be a time-saver for patients with complex dental problems: what might otherwise take six appointments can be done all at once.
"It is an excellent tool for the fearful patient that has not been to the dentist in years. It is a major part of my practice," commented a New Jersey sedation dentist. A California dentist agreed, saying, "I think oral conscious sedation is a fantastic way to provide fearful patients a comfortable, safe way of getting their dental work done. When you weigh the negative aspects of dental pathology, conscious sedation provides an avenue of treatment for these otherwise untreatable patients."
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