Sedation dentistry is used during dental surgeries to relax the patient. Sedation dentistry uses anesthetics to anesthetize the area where surgery is being done. Sedation dentistry helps the patient to relax without any pain during surgery.
Types of dental sedatives are:
- Inhaled sedatives: Inhaled sedatives are local anesthetics administered through nose. In this, sedation is placed on the mask and the dentist asks the patient to inhale the sedative. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas), halothane, sevoflurane are used as an inhaled sedative.
- Oral sedatives: Oral sedatives id administered through oral route i.e, mouth. Oral sedatives are available as pills. This should be taken 30 minutes before the surgery. This takes more time to anesthetize the area.
- I.V sedatives: I.V sedatives are general anesthetics and are administered directly into the blood stream through intravenous route. Diazepam and their category drugs are used as I.V sedatives.
- Topical sedatives: Topical sedatives are local anesthetics and applied on the surface of the surgery site. It takes more time to penetrate into the gum tissue and duration of action is less. Topical sedatives are not used in broken skin because irritation may take place. Lidocaine, procaine are used as topical sedatives.
Topical sedatives are available in the form of gels, powders and dental patches. Dental patches are the adhesive patches that contain anesthetics applied over the site and drug gets penetrated into the gum tissue.
Benefits of sedation dentistry:
- Sedation dentistry reduces the anxiety of patient
- Increases patient comfort
- Reduces pain during surgery
- Patient cooperation
- Controlled movement
Sedation can be given by a skilled anesthesiologist. The amount of sedation to be given depends on the duration of surgery, patients health condition and complication of the surgery.