Complications of oral sedation in dentistry

Oral sedation is a technique in which one or more medications are used to induce a state of depression of the central nervous system, allowing treatment to be carried out. The aim of this study was to discuss the complications with the use of oral sedation in dental practice, as well as the methods of sedation, aiming to disseminate the knowledge of these techniques and strengthen the set of resources available to the dentist for the control of anxiety and dental fear. The present study is an integrative literature review, based on primary studies, searches were performed in the databases: Portal de Periódicos da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), which brings together databases (SCieLo), the PubMed portal that encompasses MedLine (International Literature in Health Sciences and Scielo – Scientific Electronic Library Online), and the Google Scholar platform, among others. The methodology is qualitative, using the sampling method. Research focused on oral sedation has the potential to increase the adoption of the various techniques by a greater number of professionals. Therefore, understanding the various approaches that can attenuate the apprehension associated with dental treatments is of paramount importance to reduce the apprehension related to the procedures, improve behavioral control and promote the well-being of patients. Since conscious sedation proves to be an excellent option for managing anxiety and fear during dental interventions, the use of medications can create a more serene and pleasant environment for patients.