Our dental office, My Dream Dental in Henderson, Nevada offers sedation dentistry – using medication to help patients relax during our dental procedures. This includes both cleanings, fillings and full dental implant procedures.    

You will hear dental offices promote sedation dentistry, or occasionally use the term “sleep dentistry.”  With dental implants, Dr. Benjamin, a board certified oral surgeon and part of the My Dream Dental Dentistry team in Las Vegas.  Today, we are talking about two types of sedation drugs used in sedation dentistry.

SEDATION LEVELS

Minimal or Light Sedation – here, you are awake but relaxed.

Moderate sedation or Conscious Sedation – here you may slur your words when you are speaking and not remember much about your procedure, but you are conscious.

Deep sedation – here you barely conscious and can be easily awakened.

General anesthesia – here you are completely unconscious and under the constant care of the licensed doctor who administered the anesthesia until you are awake.

COMMON SEDATION DRUGS FOR DENTAL OFFICES

1.      Midazolam

2.      Fentanyl

MIDAZOLAM

Midazolam is an anti-anxiety drug. It relaxes you and makes you sleepy. It is in the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, which is closely related to diazepam (Valium).

It is used for both adults and children to reduce anxiety and fear in the dental chair.  This drug is given intravenously in a vein in your arm.  For children, however it is usually given by mouth and some dentists give this as a nasal spray for children.  This drug is given just before the dental procedure begins in the office.   This drug is not for pregnant women, so it is important to tell your dentist if you are pregnant or nursing.  It is also important to tell your dentist what vitamins and supplements you are taking.  This can have an effect on Midazolam.

Dr. Benjamin with My Dream Dental is licensed to administer anesthesia and is trained extensively in this type of sedation.  When you have sedation dentistry performed in our office, you can rest assured that we are trained and knowledgeable in this area.

Midazolam is a drug that requires us to monitor your blood pressure, heart and breathing.

There are some rare but possible side effects, including: nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, forgetfulness and clumsiness.  It is also recommended that you don’t operate machinery or drive for 24 hours.

Another important note – do not drink alcohol the night before you are going to be given midazolam and for 24 hours afterwards. The combination of midazolam and alcohol can cause increased sedation and may be life-threatening.

There are certain types of people who should not take Midazolam, including certain types of glaucoma, pregnant women and anyone with sleep apnea.  You should discuss your medical issues with your dentist prior to your dental procedure. 

FENTANYL

Fentanyl offers a potential pain reduction and may have a sedative effect as well.  It is administered through IV.  It is superior to morphine because it acts more quickly.

Some side effects include respiratory depression, decreased blood pressure, nausea, vomiting and constipation.

No matter where you live, My Dream Dental is committed to helping you with your sedation dentistry needs.  We offer dental implant solutions with state of the art technology and a milling center inside our Las Vegas based office.  If you are out of town, no problem – check out our destination dentistry packages.