Oral sedatives have become a norm in dentistry, particularly among patients. It is not surprising considering the increasing number of individuals who have anxieties and fears toward dental procedures and treatments. This mainly focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of oral sedation.
Oral sedation is the most common type of all. The main reason behind this dynamic is its overall convenience.
The advantages of taking oral sedatives are what makes this option very convenient. But, despite all the pros of oral sedation, there are also cons and downsides to it.
If you are weighing your options in choosing the ideal sedation type for you, this post may help you understand how oral sedative works.
Advantages of Oral Sedation
Here are the top pros and advantages of taking oral sedatives. This will help you understand why this type of sedation is a popular choice among patients:
- Easy To Administer
Oral sedatives are very easy to administer. This is one of the reasons why many patients, as well as dentists, choose this sedation type before going through a procedure or treatment.
It is easy because you will need to take a sedative in the form of a pill. Although the liquid form is also available, this is more apparent to young kids and patients with special needs.
- Responsive
Despite being sedated, ingesting oral sedatives will help you remain responsive. This is more helpful to the dentist attending your treatment or procedure.
The whole process becomes a lot easier and more convenient because there will be cooperation between the patient and dentist.
- No Use of Needles
Many people take sedatives for their dental appointments because of fears and anxieties. But, aside from these things, another common fear that most people have involves needles.
When taking oral sedatives, needles are not needed in the process. So, for patients who have fears over needles, this is the perfect sedation type.
- Temporary Amnesia
Another great advantage of oral sedation is that you will remain awake and aware. This means you will not fall asleep even when you are sedated.
Despite being responsive and awake, though, you will forget some of the details of the whole procedure. You will have the so-called “temporary amnesia,” causing you to forget the worries and fears that you may have in relation to dental treatments and procedures.
- Relaxing and Pain-Free Dental Experience
Sedatives, like Valium and Halcion, are the most common ones that are used in sedation dentistry. These pills will provide the ultimate relaxation, causing you to feel comfortable despite having fears.
Also, you will not feel any pain during the treatment. This is the reason why patients feel relaxed and calm even during the actual procedure.
- Affordable and Cost-Effective
One of the top reasons why oral sedatives are the most popular option among patients is because of their affordability. You only have to shell out a few bucks to buy the pills alone.
Unlike the other sedation types, wherein you have to pay extra fees and charges to the dentist administering the sedatives, oral sedation does not involve anything like this. As pointed out, you only need to purchase the sedatives and take them on your own.
- May Help Eliminate Dental Fears For Good
Oral sedatives may also help eliminate dental fears and anxieties for good. This is because of the temporary amnesia that you may experience during the procedure.
You will forget the pain and all other negative connotations that you may have regarding your dental appointments. Although it may take time before you overcome those fears, there is a huge possibility that you may diminish them in the long run.
Disadvantages of Oral Sedation
While oral sedatives offer a lot of pros, you have to understand that they also have disadvantages. Ensure to consider these things, as well:
- Not Immediately Effective
One of the disadvantages of oral sedation is that the drugs take time to kick in. This is the reason why you need to ingest the sedatives a little earlier than the actual dental appointment.
- You Cannot Drive To and From The Clinic
Considering that you have to take the oral sedatives an hour earlier or more before your dental appointment, you will not know when it will kick in. Accordingly, you must be accompanied by someone to guide you to your visit and on your way home.
- Not Covered By Dental Insurance
Oral sedatives are not part of dental insurance. This is because most pills, like these, are readily available on counters and pharmacies.
Nevertheless, they are fairly inexpensive. So, you will not incur that many concerns to your budget when buying oral sedatives.
- Contraindications With Other Medications or Drugs
Oral sedatives are not ideal for people who are taking other medications that may impact the effects of these drugs. They should also be avoided, especially if the patient has a history of chronic drug use.
Likewise, individuals who have allergies to sedatives should avoid oral sedation. This is why it is a must for every patient to honestly disclose all health-related concerns.
Final Thoughts
All in all, oral sedation may either be the best option for your or not at all. Whatever the case, though, make sure to talk to the dentist near you before anything else.
Dental experts know which oral sedatives will work, and which sedation type is much more fitting to your dental concerns and conditions. So, be sure to consult with them.
