• Anxiety is alleviated
• Few side effects
• More can be accomplished during each  visit
• No needles
• Perfectly Safe
• Procedured seemto take less time

Most of the drugs used in sedation dentistry are classified as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines reduce anxiety, muscle spasms, insomnia and seizures. Each medication has a different half-life, meaning that the effects last for varying amounts of time. The estimated length of the procedure determines which type of drug is going to be most effective.

Here are some of the most common drugs used in oral conscious sedation:

Valium® – This sedative has amnesic properties and a long half-life. It is usually used for time-consuming, complex procedures.

Halcion® – Usually used to treat insomnia, Halcion is an effective sedative with amnesic properties. A short half-life makes this sedative useful for shorter procedures.

Ativan® – This sedative is best known for reducing anxiety. It has amnesic properties and a medium half-life. Ativan is typically used for treatments shorter than two hours.

Versed® – This sedative has the shortest half-life and is therefore less commonly used. It alleviates anxiety in much the same way as nitrous oxide, and is used for visits that will take less than 30 minutes.

Oral conscious sedation is an excellent choice for people who fear needles. Sedative medication is provided orally prior to treatment in order to induce a moderate state of sedation.

Yes, sedation dentistry is generally safe when performed by a qualified dental professional. The sedation medications used are designed to relax patients, reduce anxiety, and make treatment more comfortable. The sedation levels used during dental treatments range from minimal to deep. Depending on the type of sedation used, patients may remain awake but relaxed or may fall asleep during the procedure.

It is important to follow the instructions of your dentist and to make sure that you inform them of any medical conditions or medications that you are taking prior to the procedure.

Whatever the form of sedative, it is essential to be accompanied by a caregiver. Sometimes, sedatives are provided the night before the dental visit, which means that driving to or from the appointment is not advisable.

If you have questions or concerns about sedation dentistry, please contact our office.