Sedation

Sedation can make practically all dental and oral surgical procedures more pleasant and safer for the apprehensive patient. The anxiety that many people experience during a procedure can be controlled by administering sedative medications. A sedated patient will not only be more relaxed but may also have limited memory of the procedure performed. In some instances the patient may also receive additional medications which will place the patient deeply asleep in a state of general anesthesia. Sedation is different from local anesthesia. Although some forms of sedation (such as nitrous oxide inhalation) may raise your threshold for pain, a local anesthetic (such as Lidocaine) is also required to block the pain sensations during the procedure and to keep the mouth numb and comfortable during recovery.

Sedative medications can be administered by breathing (nitrous oxide – laughing gas), orally (in liquid or pill form), intranasal, intramuscular (IM) or intravenously (IV). Nitrous oxide is the most common agent used to treat apprehensive patients and can be used either by itself or in combination with other medications.