The term oral sedation is also known as conscious sedation dentistry and pill sedation. It is among one of the three most significant sedation methods that dentists implement to calm and treat patients during their dental surgeries. Dentists usually give sedatives to those patients who undergo dental phobia. People with the fear of needles, (belonephobia) and past dental injury likewise receive sedation. Different from intravenous sedation and nitrous oxide sedation, patients receive the sedative that comes in the form of a pill to reduce the pain and calm them during the dental treatment. The oral sedative is a kind of Benzodiazepine that prevents the brain from undergoing anxiety and fear. It leads to a carefree and relaxed state of mind that lets the dentist proceed with the treatment efficiently without any hassles.

Now Let’s Consider What Dental Phobia Actually Is?

The term Dental phobia is used to define anxiety, fear, or tension during dental treatment. A patient who is agitated to attend the dentist makes the situation more complex for him while delaying the treatment. Dental phobia can be related to several triggers including spikes, drills, needles, or most importantly the dental treatment. When a person’s dental fear is rigorous and leads to ridiculous anxiety and absolute restraint of visiting the dentist, it can be recognized as a dental phobia. Several mental health ailments such as distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or a past account of head and neck injury can double the chance of a person undergoing dental phobia. 

What Causes Dental Phobia?

Here are the reasons behind Dental phobia:

• A bad dental encounter or any other bad healthcare-related experience.
• A past injury that happened to the neck or head.
• Different disturbing encounters, such as generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or despair.
• The belief that the mouth is a tender part of the body and treating it with machinery tools can result in more severe problems.
• Fear of not being able to control oneself during the treatment.
• Safety concerns
• Fear linked with different phobias including agoraphobia, and claustrophobia. 

How Oral Sedation Dentistry Works And Its Advantages

Oral sedation dentistry is considered the most popular and the most trusted by patients. It is usually used for the control of moderate to mild problems and in few situations to help the patient so that he can have a peaceful night before his appointment with the dentist. The aim is to make the patient mildly sedated, rested, and calm so that the sedation dentistry treatment can work more effectively.

Here are some examples of oral sedatives that are adopted in dentistry including benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion) and non-benzodiazepines including zaleplon (Sonata) and zolpidem (Ambien).

Advantages of Oral Sedation

• Simple To Use: The dentist will simply order a pill for you so that you can remain relaxed throughout the procedure. Oral sedation is the most comfortable sedation among the other three procedures because you just have to do is take the pill before an hour or before your appointment, and it will make you completely calm at the time of the treatment.
• No Needles: Most of the patients are scared of the dentist and possess a phobia of needles, which are utilized when giving IV sedation. However, with oral sedation, the patient can get the sedative by simply taking the pill before the appointment without fretting about being hurt by the dentist.
• Amnesia: The effective dosage of Benzodiazepines makes the patients have limited to no consciousness of the treatment. This is good for patients undergoing dental phobia because they’ll have no remembrance of what had happened while they were sedated.
• Reliable: The oral sedatives are all governed by the FDA, so it’s very improbable for you to undergo any fatal side effects.
• Responsive: Even though the patient might feel c with pill sedation, he or she will still be attentive and responsive. Because the patient will be alert during the treatment, he’ll yet be able to hear and answer the dentist’s instructions. Moreover, you can get the most reliable dentist for oral sedation services in San Antonio.

Conclusion

Oral Sedation Dentistry is the use of a mild sedative to manage special needs or anxiety while you receive dental care. Dr. Martin Garcia at South Flores Dental in San Antonio offers oral sedation during dental procedures. He ensures that you have the most comfortable experience during your dental treatment. If you have dental problems, book an appointment with Dr. Garcia today!