Oral Triazolam for major dental surgery? Will it work? Will I feel and experience everything that is happening?

Conscious is a combination of medicines to help you relax (a sedative) and to block pain (an anesthetic) during a medical or dental procedure. You will remain in a “twilight” state, and can respond to commands, but remember little of the procedure. Conscious sedation lets you feel no pain, recover quickly, and return to your everyday activities soon after your procedure.

Which sedation approach is best for implant surgery depends on a variety of factors. Not all patients qualify for IV sedation. There are several medications that can be used for light (oral-conscious) sedation and they work quite effectively to induce a twilight sleep state. Many dentists use Triazolam (Halcion®), which is in the Diazepam (Valium®) family while others use Zaleplon or Lorazepam. These medications are fast- but short-acting with few side effects, and long records of successful use. Many implant surgeries are also done only with local anesthesia such as Novocain or Lidocaine. If you're the type of patient who wants to be aware during the procedure, wants the benefit of being able to drive yourself home afterwards, and does not mind sounds, this may be a viable option for you.

Hello and thank you for your question. I totally hear your concern. Triazolam is a good medication, but everyone is different.In my office we offer options to the patient. In case they feel more comfortable to have their dentistry done while they are asleep, IV or general sedation is available for patients' comfort and their piece of mind.Good luck to you.

Oral Triazolam could very well put you in a deeply relaxed state. Because this drug works on a specific type of receptor in the body, some patients may be resistant to it. Furthermore, it may be difficult to control the effects as would be possible with IV sedation. Another option is to use a multi-drug regimen with IV sedation. Of course, the provider would have to have a special state license in order to perform this. My recommendation for All-on-4 cases is IV conscious sedation.

It is all about patient comfort.  Our office offers both oral conscious sedation and IV conscious sedation and the patient selects what they feel most comfortable.  There are benefits and disadvantages to both procedures.  With IV conscious sedation, we are able to able to keep the patient at a comfortable level throughout long treatments.  Oral conscious sedation is great for shorter procedures but can be used with longer treatments.  With experience, they both work well.  If you have a lot anxiety before you start, its best that you discuss your concerns with the doctor before you start.  That alone might help alleviate unnecessary stress. 

Conscious sedation with triazolamcan be an extremely effective form of sedation.Patients typically report that they remember very little or absolutely nothing of their appointment, providing  they are given the proper amount of medication.  if you still have concerns and are sure that you want to be  completely "knocked out", then you may want to have the procedure done by a dentist that provides IV sedation or true general anesthesia. I hope that you found this information to be helpful,Dr. Champagne 

The degree to which you will be sedated will depend upon how much triazolam you take.  (Yes- it works) You will most likely be completely comfortable for the procedure, but if you have doubts about your dentist's concern for your comfort and anxiety you should seek a second opinion before moving forward with the planned procedure.  There is probably no reason you can't be "put under" with iv sedation if that is your preference, just not with this dentist.

I perform full mouth implants regularly & half of the time I use oral sedation along with the local anesthesia.  This is to reduce anxiety & will make you doze in and out throughout the procedure.  The other half of patients just go with local anesthesia.  Several pictures of my cases are on my Facebook page.  I have worked with anesthesiologists also & prefer it that way so I can focus on surgery rather than your heart rate, breathing and level of sedation.  In the end it is your level of anxiety that will dictate the level you choose.

Triazolam is not used for general anesthesia.  Typically it is used as a sedation medication to take you to a deeply relaxed state but still awake.  You will not experience as much as you would without it but you will still be somewhat aware of what is happening.  You just won't care as much and you won't remember much of the procedure the next day.  If you want general anesthesia, which is certainly your right, it sounds like you will need to find a different dentist.  Good luck!