Education and Information

When oral sedation is recommended or requested, the treating dentist prescribes a sedative medication to be taken one hour prior to the dental appointment. The patient will begin to feel very relaxed, and even drowsy, which will continue throughout the duration of the dental procedure and for a period of time afterwards. Oral sedation allows the patient to care less about the procedure and the dental environment in general, thereby reducing the fear and anxiety the individual may have been facing. Local anesthetic is used to numb treatment areas, though this typically does not cause any discomfort to the patient due to their relaxed, sedated state. Patients who choose oral sedation typically have memory of the procedure, unless sleep was induced from the sedative medication. Given the sedative effects produced, those opting for this level of dental sedation will need someone to drive them to and from the dental appointment.

A deeper level of dental sedation, IV (intravenous) conscious sedation is administered prior to beginning the procedure. As the sedating mediation begins to take effect, the patient advances to a deep state of relaxation and calm, quelling any fears provoked by the dental environment or past traumatic experiences. The patient’s vital signs are monitored throughout the treatment and the sedative medication adjusted as needed. Though typically relaxed, calm and drowsy, patients receiving IV sedation dentistry are still awake and can respond to instructions throughout the procedure. Memory of the dental appointment may be impaired, which could be a favored aspect if a traumatic dental history is responsible for current dental fear or anxiety. Patients are required to have a companion drive them home after receiving IV conscious sedation.

Nitrous oxide, affectionately known as “laughing gas,” is a colorless, odorless gas breathed in through a small mask or tube covering the nasal passages prior to and during a dental procedure. One of the oldest forms of dental sedation, nitrous oxide is widely used and available in a number of offices around the world. The gas provides a euphoric effect in the patient, relaxing the individual and releasing the concerns of dental fear or anxiety. Local anesthetic is administered to provide comfort to the treatment area after the patient has received nitrous oxide for an effective period. The patient is fully conscious and aware of their surroundings, and the carefree feeling renders them calm, relaxed and indifferent to the dental procedure being performed. When the procedure is complete, the patient is administered oxygen for a short time and returns to a normal state once the gas flow is stopped.

Occurring in tandem with several other sedation dentistry services, local anesthetic is the method of numbing the soft tissues, bone and teeth in treatment areas. Different types of anesthetic solutions may be used, depending on the health of the patient, location of treatment within the mouth and desired duration of anesthetic effect. Many local anesthetic formulations contain epinephrine, a component that helps keep the anesthetic in the treatment area for an extended period of time. However, in patients intolerant of epinephrine or those having cardiovascular issues, an anesthetic solution without the medication may be used.