Propranolol and D-cycloserine as adjunctive medications in reducing dental fear in sedation practice.
Extensive research and clinical experience have demonstrated the usefulness of sedation in helping fearful patients receive dental treatment, particularly when they have urgent treatment needs. In addition, the efficacy of behavioural programmes for managing dental fears is well established. While often these two approaches are seen as oppositional, our work in Seattle, Morgantown and at King's College London Dental Institute demonstrates the complementarity of the two approaches. Using the example of two compounds, one very familiar, propranolol, and one that has recently become of interest, D-cycloserine, we wish to illustrate the manner in which these medications can be used to enhance behavioural approaches to managing dental anxiety.
Dental Fears Research Clinic, Department of Dental Public Health Sciences, Box 357475, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7475, USA. lheaton@u.washington.edu
Lisa J
LJ
Heaton
Daniel W
DW
McNeil
Peter
P
Milgrom
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D003523:Cycloserine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003523:Cycloserine; D011433:Propranolol