Types of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry can help eliminate the anxiety associated with dental work, allowing you to have a safe, worry-free experience. Whether you hate the sounds and smells of the dentist’s office, or have had a bad experience, sedation dentistry can provide comfort and relaxation during and after treatment. 

There are three types of sedation used in dentist offices today:

• Deep conscious sedation:

  This is the heaviest form of sedation, where medication is administered intravenously. While this type of sedation is ideal for multiple, complex procedures, it is not commonly used in the dental field because it requires advanced training certification by the State Board of Dentistry.

• Inhalation sedation:

  This conscious form of sedation is accomplished with a combination of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oxygen. With inhalation sedation, all of your bodily functions will remain normal and you will be able to breathe on your own. Often times, patients fall asleep while the treatment is being completed.

• Oral conscious sedation:

  Using medications you take orally is the most common, popular, and convenient form of sedation dentistry today, and the form we use at Aesthetic Dentistry of Valencia. Like inhalation sedation, oral conscious sedation allows you to breathe on your own, and remember little, if any, about your dental treatment.

Benefits of Oral Sedation

At Aesthetic Dentistry of Valencia, we use oral sedation, a preferred method of sedation dentistry because it is safe and easy to administer.  Using small pills, oral sedation is inexpensive and works well for most people. Many patients incorrectly assume that sedation dentistry means you will be unconscious during the procedure. This is the case with deep sedation, but with oral sedation you will remain in a conscious, relaxed state. This will allow you to respond to Dr. Joel Miller's requests without the risk of going under anesthesia. Because you will have a certain degree of amnesia following the procedure, you will have no negative feelings associated with your experience.

Types of Medications Used in Oral Sedation

There are number of medications that may be used in oral sedation. The most common are in the group called benzodiazapines. These may include:

• Triazolam (Halcion)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Zaleoplon (Sonata)

While you will be awake after your treatment, you will need someone to drive you home after your appointment. For more information, please see Questions to ask Your Sedation Dentist.

At Aesthetic Dentistry of Valencia, using modern sedation techniques, you can have cosmetic and restorative treatment completed painlessly.  You probably won’t even remember very much about your visit. If you are interested in sedation dentistry, please contact our office to set up a free consultation.