Josh Bernstein, DDS, Cosmetic Dentist

Fortunately, there is a solution and it is the answer to many a dental patient’s prayers. Like some other dentists in the San Francisco area, I can now provide my patients with a more positive dental experience with sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentists can use a variety of drugs to sedate patients before a dental procedure. Most often, sedation dentists use triazolam, which has proven to be very safe and effective. This medication has a short half-life (the length of time it stays in your system) and will wear off in 2-3 hours being fully metabolized so it does not cause prolonged sedative effects. Because triazolam has an amnesiac effect, patients rarely remember what happened at their appointment—this is especially effective for patients who are afraid of the dentist.

Valium (generic diazepam) also works well when used appropriately. Valium is often given to the patient the night before the procedure as it has a long half life, so it enhances the feeling of sedation the day of the appointment, also.

Ativan (generic lorazepam) is a great sedative to use when triazolam cannot be used. Lorazepam is excellent for lengthy appointments and for use in patients who cannot tolerate triazolam due to their health history.

Vistaril (generic hyrdroxyzine) is an antihistamine that works as a sedative. This drug is used in combination with triazolam or lorazepam to smooth over the sedative process. Hydroxyzine is used with gaggers and patients who have stuffy noses. Also, many smokers have a hard time getting sedated and getting numb for that matter. Hydroxyzine works very well to help smokers get sedated.

Sonata (generic zaleplon) is a short-acting sedative that is used for appointments lasting 1-2 hours. It has rapid onset and a short half-life and is appropriate for patients having their teeth cleaned or other shorter dental appointments.

Before having any dental procedure done:

• See a properly trained sedation dentist
• Provide a complete health history
• Follow your dentist's instructions to the letter
• Make sure you have a ride home if necessary
• Do not drive or operate machinery until the following day
• Do not make important decisions while sedated

With sedation dentistry, people who have feared dentists for years or even decades now really have something to smile about!

For more information about sedation dentistry, please visit my sedation dentistry website