Drug-related methods for alleviation of stress in dentistry.
For many patients, dental procedures can cause a great deal of anxiety and fear. These emotions are part of a stress reaction, which, in physiologic terms, can pose a serious risk, particularly to patients with pre-existing cardiopulmonary disorders. In each case the dentist must decide whether anxiolytic stress-reducing treatment is indicated, and which method should be used. Besides certain psychotherapeutic techniques, numerous drugs (neuroleptics, barbiturates, beta-blockers, and benzodiazepines) are available for this purpose. This paper reviews these types of drugs and offers recommendations for their use.
Tolksdorf
W
W
University of Technology, Aachen, Germany.
Siefert
S
S
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000700:Analgesics; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001463:Barbiturates; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D001569:Benzodiazepines