Different Types of Medications Used in Dentistry
Aside from using instruments and equipment during procedures, dentists also prescribe different types of medicine to address a specific need or concern of a patient. These can be purchased as generic over-the-counter (OTC) drug or with prescription and can be administered in a variety of ways. Check out each type of medicine which your dentist may prescribe on your next visit.
Analgesics This type of medicine is used mainly for pain control before and after a dental procedure. Analgesics can be administered orally, intravenously, as a suppository, or as a topical cream. Your dentist may recommend analgesic agents such as ibuprofen, naproxen, choline salicylate, aspirin, and acetaminophen. Although most analgesics can be purchased without prescription, it is best to consult your dentist regarding doses and contraindications.
Antibiotics To prevent infections after having dental procedure, antibiotics must be taken by patients for a specific period. Antibiotics can be administered orally, intramuscularly, or even intravenously. Examples of antibiotics include amoxicillin, penicillin, tetracyclines, and chlorhexidine. Patients with allergic reactions to amoxicillin are usually prescribed with Erythromycin as an alternative.
Anesthetics This type of medicine used by a Tinley Park dentist during the procedure comes in two types, namely: local and general anesthetics. Most local anesthetics contain 2% lidocaine hydrochloride and 2% mepivacaine while some general anesthetics may contain anti-anxiety agents. Anesthetics can be injected to a specific area of the mouth, inhaled, or applied directly on the skin. Take note that anesthetics must only be used as a temporary pain reliever and should not be used for extended period of time.
Anti-fungals A Tinley Park dentist may prescribe anti-fungals such as flagyl and nystatin to treat candidiasis, thrush, and denture stomatitis in the oral cavity. Patients who are taking oral antifungals are instructed to take one half of the dose in each side of the mouth and swish it around before swallowing. Other antifungal agents include miconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, and ketoconazole.
Antianxiety drugs Because fear and anxiety of dentistry are very common among patients, your Tinley Park dentist may prescribe anti-anxiety drugs such as diazepam and benzodiazepines. The most common pharmacological effect of these drugs on patients is CNS depression that can cause drowsiness, muscle weakness, apathy, somnolence, and confusion. Other antianxiety drugs used in dentistry include alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, halazepam, lorazepam, midazolam, hydroxyzine hydrochloride, buspirone, meprobamate, and chlormezanone.
Analgesics This type of medicine is used mainly for pain control before and after a dental procedure. Analgesics can be administered orally, intravenously, as a suppository, or as a topical cream. Your dentist may recommend analgesic agents such as ibuprofen, naproxen, choline salicylate, aspirin, and acetaminophen. Although most analgesics can be purchased without prescription, it is best to consult your dentist regarding doses and contraindications.
Antibiotics To prevent infections after having dental procedure, antibiotics must be taken by patients for a specific period. Antibiotics can be administered orally, intramuscularly, or even intravenously. Examples of antibiotics include amoxicillin, penicillin, tetracyclines, and chlorhexidine. Patients with allergic reactions to amoxicillin are usually prescribed with Erythromycin as an alternative.
Anesthetics This type of medicine used by a Tinley Park dentist during the procedure comes in two types, namely: local and general anesthetics. Most local anesthetics contain 2% lidocaine hydrochloride and 2% mepivacaine while some general anesthetics may contain anti-anxiety agents. Anesthetics can be injected to a specific area of the mouth, inhaled, or applied directly on the skin. Take note that anesthetics must only be used as a temporary pain reliever and should not be used for extended period of time.
Anti-fungals A Tinley Park dentist may prescribe anti-fungals such as flagyl and nystatin to treat candidiasis, thrush, and denture stomatitis in the oral cavity. Patients who are taking oral antifungals are instructed to take one half of the dose in each side of the mouth and swish it around before swallowing. Other antifungal agents include miconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, and ketoconazole.
Antianxiety drugs Because fear and anxiety of dentistry are very common among patients, your Tinley Park dentist may prescribe anti-anxiety drugs such as diazepam and benzodiazepines. The most common pharmacological effect of these drugs on patients is CNS depression that can cause drowsiness, muscle weakness, apathy, somnolence, and confusion. Other antianxiety drugs used in dentistry include alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, halazepam, lorazepam, midazolam, hydroxyzine hydrochloride, buspirone, meprobamate, and chlormezanone.
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