Conscious Sedation
Dental treatments can be performed with a variety of types of anesthesia in order to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Sedation administered in the dental office include local anesthesia, as normally used for minor dental treatments, supplemented by IV (Intravenous) sedation or oral sedation.
Local anesthesia numbs the area of the mouth being operated on and controls the pain. Under Conscious Sedation, patients are not completely unconscious or asleep. They are able to respond to commands and breathe on their own.
Our periodontists are certified by the State Board of Dentistry and have undergone specialized advanced training required to administer IV Sedation in a dental office. IV Sedation, also known as Conscious Sedation, may be recommended for long, stressful dental procedures. With this type of sedation, small doses of various medications are administered directly into the blood stream. The greatest advantage of IV Sedation is that if someone is not sedated enough, the doctor can administer more medication and the effects are instantaneous. IV Sedation is not used commonly in most dental offices because of the skills required and the strict requirements for certification by the State Board of Dentistry. The drugs used for IV Sedation are more effective than the same drugs taken orally. There is also a more profound amnesia associated with this technique.
Oral Conscious Sedation is administered by swallowing a pill about an hour prior to surgery. During surgery, all body functions remain normal and the patient is able to breathe on their own. Patients often fall asleep and awake with some degree of amnesia. The disadvantages of this method of sedation is the level of sedation of each patient is highly variable and not as predictable as the intravenous route.
An escort is required to drive you to and from the office if you will be receiving Oral and/or IV Conscious Sedation for your procedure. We would appreciate your escort staying in our office while you are having your procedure completed.
The third method of sedation administered during most procedures is Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen ("laughing gas"). There are very few side effects associated with this form of sedation and the patient is able to return to their normal activities immediately after the appointment, depending on the procedure performed. Following a procedure with Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen, you will most likely be able to drive yourself home.