1. Is sedation dentistry a good route to take for a patient with Fibromyalgia and facial pain history?
Sedation dentistry can be a good modality for patients with facial pain and fibromyalgia because greater comfort is provided during dental care. Oral sedation provides a level of relaxation and sometimes a degree of amnesia during the care appointment. Depending on the needs of the patient, I will often use intravenous sedation because it allows me to make the patient even more comfortable, pain free, relaxed, and gives the patient the perception that they were "out" for the procedure. With intravenous sedation, I'm also able to give medications that make the post op more comfortable as well. Over the years many fibro patients have told me they get, "two good days after" my procedures where they are generally pain free of the fibro. Regarding the trigeminal neuralgia, there are adjunctive medications that can be used (orally, or intravenously) during your procedure to address additional pain pathways to best control dental pain and provide the maximum comfort to you. Many fibro and facial pain patients have in general reached the limit of their suffering and want to minimize suffering through anything else, if they can. A consultation would help us determine the best approach for you.
