Enternal or Oral Sedation:

An Eexcellent Method to Help Patients
Experience a Positive Dental Appointment

Sedation Medicines are Measured Out by Our Staff

Oral sedation is a very safe measured and monitored technique which requires specialized training and additional certification by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.  Our office has both the specialized training and the certifications to legally provide enteral sedation for our patients.  In addition, we also have the specialized equipment that is necessary to provide a safe and effective experience for our orally-sedated patients.  Please ask any question that you or a friend of yours may have in regards to this great “relaxing” technique that can be used for any age patient or any dental technique.

Oral sedation is the administration of anti-anxiety drugs through the mouth; either pills or liquids.

These drugs will be either versed, valium, halcion, and/or vicodin.  The determining factor as to which drug will be used is usually the age of the patient.

As a rule from 4 to 11 years of age, we use versed. 11 years of age to 18, we use valium, and 18 and above, we use a combination of halcion and vicodin.  For versed and valium, we weigh the patient and the dosages are measured out specifically for each patient by the doctor.  Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) along with Oxygen is also used during the appointment.

These drugs are safe and effective agents which help patients to have pleasant and productive dental appointments.

Health Issues and Costs

The cost for the sedation and monitoring is $35.  Insurance coverage is very spotty and Anna can help you with your insurance coverage.

There are not a lot of instances whereby the patient due to health issues can not use the oral sedation technique.  The only major issue would be if a patient was allergic to either the halcyon, versed, valium, or the hydrocodone.  These drugs are very safe and the reported instances of allergies to any of them is extremely rare.

Our office performs approximately 10 to 15 oral sedations a month and as of yet have never experienced an allergic response.   There have been instances of nausea and we will address this issue in the following paragraphs.

Important Pre and Post-Treatment Facts:

It’s Important to Have an Empty Stomach!

It is very important that the patient not have anything to eat or drink 6 hours before the oral sedation dental appointment.

Occasionally the patient is very nervous and apprehensive before the dental appointment and this anxiety can result in increased stomach acid production.

This increased stomach acid activity along with food and the oral sedation agents can result in a rather messy situation in the dental chair.  While the nausea in itself is not life-threatening, there is a slight chance that the patient’s stomach contents can be aspirated since the patient is lying back.

In Summary:

1. Must have a driver
2. Nothing to eat or drink 6 hrs before

Equipment and Training

There is Continual Patient Monitoring During the Sedation.

Oral sedation is a very safe measured and monitored technique which requires specialized training and additional certification by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.

Our office has both the specialized training and the certifications to legally provide enteral sedation for our patients.

In addition, we also have the specialized equipment that is necessary to provide a safe and effective experience for our orally-sedated patients.

Please ask any question that you or a friend of yours may have in regards to this great “relaxing” technique that can be used for any age patient or any dental technique.