Oral Sedation

Do you experience high levels of anxiety when visiting the dentist? You may be a candidate for Sedation Dentistry. Dr. Watts is licensed to administer oral conscious sedation, commonly referred to as “Sleep Dentistry.”

Sedation Dentistry

Advantages to patients include:

• Treatment is completed when you are in a more relaxed mood.
• You will have less difficulty sitting through a lengthy procedure.
• Multiple treatments and full mouth restorations can occur at during the same visit.
• You may have little memory of your visit the next day.

Anti-Anxiety Medications

The most commonly prescribed dental related drugs that treat anxiety belong to the “benzodiazepine” family. Drugs in this class include Valium, Halcion, Xanax, and Ativan. These drugs decrease anxiety by binding to and toning down activity within “fear” receptors in the brain. They induce a state of calm and relaxation

There are two different types of Benzodiazepines:

• Sedative-Hypnotics: These drugs induce calm, including drowsiness and even sleep. This sleep state is actually a form of hypnosis which is a form of physiological sleep.
• Anti-Anxiety Drugs: These are drugs which relieve anxiety and induce a state of calm and relaxation.

Please note that you shouldn’t travel on your own after you’ve taken any of these drugs. Make sure you have an escort, even if you traveled by bus or foot! It’s easy to become disoriented.

When not to take benzodiazepines:

Some of these drugs can affect your liver and heart. It’s important to check with your practitioner and/or pharmacist.  You should be sure to inform your doctor or dentist if any of the following apply: known allergy to the drug, narrow-angle glaucoma, pregnancy or are nursing, severe respiratory disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF), impaired kidney or liver function, depression/bipolar disorder/psychoses, chronic bronchitis and some other conditions. It’s also important to let us know if you are taking other medications as there may be drug interactions.