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Risk of Dental Sedation for Seniors

Dental anesthetic, sedation, and general anesthesia in elderly patients can be a challenging aspect of operative and surgical dentistry. As individuals age, they often experience multiple comorbidities and physiological changes, which necessitate modifications in anesthesia administration. The increased prevalence of age-related polypharmacy and immune-suppression adds further complexity to dental anesthesia management in older adults.2 These medical risks can include cardiovascular issues, respiratory complications, medication interactions, reduced organ function, impaired cognitive effects, decreased pain threshold, and delayed recovery.