Oral sedation (triazolam) EXTRACTIONS AHHH!

[ghosthunter79]

Ok like most of you I am a complete wimp when it comes to the dentist. I know that my fears are blown way out of proportion! But I have an appointment in 2 weeks! I am scared to death and have been making myself sick just thinking about it! I have had tons of work done in the past but my fear seems to be getting worse! I have bad genetics because I have no enamel left on my teeth! I am going to do single tooth implants over the next few years. I am having 7 teeth pulled on my next appointment. I have never had one out before and it is freaky just thinking about it! I also have never had any type of sedation, not even nitrous oxide gas! Can anyone tell me about their experiance with oral sedation or multipul extractions? Im not sure I wil make it into the office once the day finally arrives! HELP!

 

[Stress Doc]

I can answer some of your questions about Halcion (Trialozam). Halcion is a Benzodiazpine. These drugs are used for anxiety. Halcion binds with the GABA receptors in the brain.

Here is a quick overview of the method of action of Benzos:

Your body produces many different brain chemicals. These natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) have either a "calming" or "arrousing" effect on the brain. These chemicals transmit these messages to the cells in the brain.



About 40% of the billions of brain cells respond to GABA. GABA is the brains "calming" or tranquillizing neurotransmitter. Benzodiazepine medications enhance the effect of GABA.
When one suffers from anxiety or panic attacks then the brain becomes "over-aroused" it needs the transmitters associated with the "calming" chemicals to come into action . These respond by sending messages to the brain cells to slow down or to stop and since a large portion of the brain’s cells are responsive to these transmitters there is a “calming” affect on the brain.
Benzodiazepines have similar chemicals to those produced by the body for "calming" effects and when these are added to those produced naturally by the body it means that there are a greater number of transmitters sending out messages to the brain cells resulting in an excessive slow down or shut down of these cells.
As a result of this increase in the numbers of cells being slowed down the brains output of "arousing" transmitters is reduced. However, these “arousing” transmitters are vital for normal alertness, memory, co-ordination, emotional responses, heart rate, and blood pressure.
The failure to produce enough excitatory transmitters affects the functioning of these systems and affects the bodies normal working.

Halcion is used for Insomnia but is also used as an Oral Sedative. It works very quickly (10-15 minutes). Halcion effects are usually gone within 2-3 hours after taking the medication.

It causes sedation and amnesia for the event. This medication is well tolerated and very effective for most people. You dentist might use a technique called "stacked dosing." This means you may be given an additional dose shortly after the first in order to achieve the desired level of sedation.

Most people do not remember the procedure after taking this medication and the effects are pleasant. This is the most common type of Oral sedation used in dentistry in the USA. It has a great track record of success. Your dentist might have you take a dose the night before in order to get you a good nights sleep.

I think you will be very pleased with this medication. It is a great choice for people that do not want to remember the treatment and "sleep" through it.

I hope this helps. Best wishes to you.

 

[atha]

K- i completly understand where you are comming from. i am also afraid of the dentist. The only thing that gets me through is that I get sedated when i have to have my teeth pulled. I have an appt on april 8th to have 8 teeth extracxted. This will be my 4th time being sedated at the dentist. I have never even been to a regular dentist to have any work done i just bare the pain as much as i can until i can afford to be sedated and have them pulled. did i mention that i am 27 years old. You must imagine that my teeth look horrible but i have been lucky and they look normal. After this procedure i will not have any jaw teeth at all. Its kind of depressing but i just cant deal with the pain. i have considerd having all of my teeth pulled but i am scared that i cant wear dentures or that i will look funny. Anyway......being sedated takes effect as soon as they start the medicine and i would reccomend it to anybody. I still get upset becaused of just being at the dentist in general makes me ill but he really understands. i wake up and the pain is gone. Good luck i hope you have a good experience.