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 commands and that is produced by pharmacological or nonpharmacologic methods or combination thereof. Sedation Dentistry, sometimes called Relaxation Dentistry, refers to the way dentists  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

The Oral Medications 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:

  • The level of Sedation is not easily changed
  • Someone must drive you to and from your dental appointment
  • There is no analgesic (pain relief effect)
  • The most common medication used is Halcion (triazolam). Halcion provides a deep level of relaxation and amnesia effect. 
  • For children the most common medication is Versed (Medazolan) which is a liquid. 

 

 

Inhalation Conscious Sedation

Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen ("laughing gas") has been the primary mode of Sedation in Dentistry for many years. 35% of all US dentists offer Nitrous Oxide Sedation to their patients. 

 

Advantages of Dental Inhalation Sedation:

  • Works well for mild to moderate anxiety
  • Rapid Onset
  • Flexible duration: can be used for any appointment length
  • Absolute Control. It is easy to quickly control the level of sedation, which  may be altered moment to moment. 
  • People recover quickly
  • Very few side effects
  • There is an analgesic effect
  • You can drive yourself to and from your dental appointment
  • You can return to normal activities immediately

 

Disadvantages of Dental Inhalation Sedation:

  • Severe anxiety may require a deeper level of sedation
  • Not indicated for people who have respiratory problems (Asthma and Emphysema)
  • Claustrophobic patients do not like anything covering their nose

 

What medications are used for Dental Inhalation Sedation?

  • Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
  • Oxygen (O2) 

 

The safety features of the equipment that administer the gases insure that a patient receives no less than 30% Oxygen mixed with Nitrous Oxide. Usually the patient receives 50 to 70% Oxygen.