Sedation dentistry uses medication to provide a comfortable and relaxing feeling for the patient before and during the dental procedure. There are certain levels of sedation which is used depending on the type of dental procedure that is being completed, as well as the health information provided by the patient.

– Minimal sedation – when the patient is awake but still relaxed
– Moderate sedation – the patient may seem to move slowly, slur their words when speaking, and not remember a lot of the dental procedure
– Deep sedation – the patient is on the very edge of consciousness; they are in and out but can be easily awakened
– General anesthesia – the patient is completely unconscious

Different types of sedation can be used in dental procedures, each will depend on the patient, as well as the length, and type of dental procedure being completed.

– Minimal sedation inhalation – This is when the patient inhales nitrous oxide that is combined with oxygen through a mask that is placed on the face that covers the nose and mouth. The gas will help the patient to relax. The dentist has full control over the amount of sedation the patient receives, and usually, the nitrous oxide combination will wear off quite quickly after the procedure.

– Oral sedation – Oral sedation can be provided from minimal to moderate dosage. Often dentists will provide the oral sedation called Halcion which is in the same group as Valium. Oral sedation is taken a minimum of an hour before the dental procedure. The patient may become drowsy, but will still be awake for the dental procedure with moderate sedation.

– IV moderate sedation – Moderate sedation is often provided through an IV into the vein, this is so the drug is able to work faster, and allows the dentist to adjust the level of sedation as what is appropriate.

– Deep sedation and general anesthesia – this type of sedation will make the patient almost unconscious or completely unconscious to a night of deep sleep during their dental procedure. While the patient is under general anesthesia, the patient is unable to be fully awake until the anesthesia wears off or the medication is reversed.

The dentist will provide the sedative medication before proceeding with the dental procedure. A local anesthetic will be provided to help numb the teeth and gums, but the dentist usually will not do this until the sedative medication has kicked in so you are relaxed and comfortable.

Depending on the sedative medicine you have chosen, a trusted family member or friend will be available to drive you home after your appointment, if you chose nitrous oxide, you are able to drive yourself home. It is highly recommended you go straight home after the dental procedure to rest while the sedative medication is still in your system and slowly wearing off.

Recovery times after dental surgery will vary depending on the dental procedure you had completed, as well as which type of sedation you chose, and how your body will react to the medication. On average, patients who chose nitrous oxide will notice within 15 to 30 minutes they are feeling back to normal, and are able to drive themselves home following their dental appointment. For patients who choose a different sedation medication, typically the sedation will last around 24 hours before full recovery is completed, and you can go back to normalcy.

If you are looking for a dental clinic that provides different options for dental sedation procedures, contact our clinic Friends Family Dental and Orthodontics today! We will be more than happy to provide you with the list of sedation options we provide, as we as an estimate for the cost of each.

For more information, contact us. We serve patients from Brooklyn NY, Manhattan NY, Bronx NY, Hoboken NJ, West New York NJ and surrounding areas.