What Types of Sedation can you expect at the Dentist?

Visiting the dentist isn’t exactly anyone’s idea of a great time. Although some people can handle the physical discomforts of their dentist appointment very well, for others, dentist appointments can cause immense anxiety, especially if they are expecting to undergo a more strenuous dental procedure than most. Most dental patients will not need any form of sedation- only during the more painful, extensive, or invasive procedures. However, some patients, even when their appointments are for a routine dental cleaning, may need to have some form of sedation administered to them.

Depending on the reason for the sedation, the level and type of sedation will be administered accordingly. For example, general anesthesia, the use of which renders the patient unconscious, is quite unnecessary for patients who only need light sedation for their sensitive teeth during dental cleanings. If you ever need sedation at the dentist, you can expect to be sedated by one of the following:

·         Nitrous oxide, or as it more commonly known, “laughing gas”, is a type of sedation that is delivered through inhalation via a mask placed over the nose. The dentist is able to control the amount of nitrous oxide that is delivered to each patient. Since the effects of nitrous oxide wears of much quicker than other forms of sedation, patients will be able to drive themselves home after a procedure using nitrous oxide.

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·         Oral sedation is a type of sedation that is delivered orally via a pill and is the most common form of sedation used by dentists today. The oral sedation pill, which goes by the formal name “Halcion”, is taken about an hour before the procedure and will make patients drowsy, and at times, drowsy enough to fall asleep during the procedure. Greater levels of sedation can be administered through higher dosages. Patients will not be able to drive themselves home after the administration of oral sedation.

·         IV sedation is a type of sedation that is delivered intravenously so that it can react quickly. The intravenous delivery of drugs, medicinal or otherwise, is the second quickest way to deliver drugs to the body. Intravenous sedation will allow the sedation dentist to continuously monitor the dosage level throughout the procedure. Patients will be unable to drive themselves home after IV sedation.

·         General anesthesia is a type of sedation that can be delivered intravenously or by inhalation. You can often request your preference; otherwise the anesthesiologist will make the selection for you. General anesthesia will render you complete unconscious and unable to be easily wakened until the sedation wears off. A slightly milder form of general anesthesia is known as “deep sedation”, in which you are on the edge of consciousness. You will not be able to drive yourself home after either general anesthesia or deep sedation.

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