Conscious Sedation is defined as a minimally depressed level of consciousness that retains the patient's ability to independently and continuously maintain an airway and respond appropriately to physical stimulation and verbal command and that is produced by pharmacological or nonpharmacologic method or combination thereof.

Sedation Dentistry, sometimes called Relaxation Dentistry, refers to the way dentist's  manage Pain and Anxiety during dental appointments. Unlike General Anesthesia where a patient is completely unconscious, asleep, and unable to respond,  patients under Conscious Sedation, are able to respond to commands and breath on their own. 

                                            Oral Sedation          

Enteral Conscious Sedation "Orally Administered Sedation", sometimes called  "Sedation Dentistry" is administered by taking a pill. All body functions remain normal and the person is able to breathe on their own. The patient will often fall asleep. Some degree of amnesia is common. The disadvantage with this method of sedation, is that the level of sedation for each person is not predictable. 

This Oral Medication used for Oral Conscious Sedation in dentistry are from a group of drugs known as Benzodiazapines. Not only do these medications have a sedative effect they also have some degree of  amnesic effect for most people. Patients remember little or nothing about their dental appointment.

Advantages to Dental Oral Sedation:

  • Easy to administer: Swallow a small pill 
  • It is safe and easy to monitor
  • Works well for most people
  • Low Cost
Disadvantages of Dental Oral Sedation:
  • Someone must drive you to and from your dental appointment
  • There is no analgesic (pain relief effect)
What medications are used for Dental Oral Sedation?
  • The most common medication is Halcion (triazolam). Halcion provides a deep level of relaxation and amnesia effect. 

 

Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation

Inhalation Conscious Sedation, Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation, also known as "laughing gas" is the most frequently used sedation method used  in dentistry. All bodily functions remain normal and the person is able to breathe on their own. The patient will often fall asleep and experience some degree of amnesia about what happened during their dental appointment. Inhalation Sedation has been used by my dentists for many years.

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