aleriana officinalis: An alternative for the control of dental anxiety?

Abstract

The anxiety is an important, if not the bigger, stress component of the odontologic patients. The administration of tranquillizing oral drugs has being used previously to the oral surgery. The benzodiazepinics are the most used drugs in this type of situation, however they present undesirable effects. The literature shows us that the Valeriana officinalis is efficient against anxiety, anguish, light disequilibria of the nervous system and does not have contraindications. Differently of the benzodiazepinics, is basically exempt from collateral effects when used in the recommended doses. It is interesting that odontology researchers seek for greater information on the mechanism of action of this substance through clinical assays, therefore perhaps it should be a viable alternative for the surgeon-dentists who make use of the pre-medication, considering that it has its medicinal virtues elucidated since IX century and does not cause discomfort for the patient after the intervention.