Oral Sedation

Some patients have so much anxiety that they completely avoid dental treatment which often leads to loss of teeth due periodontal disease (gum disease). For patients who have high levels of anxiety there is good news. Different forms of sedation have become available. Depending on the level and severity of anxiety, sedation can range from inhaled sedative, anxiolysis (light) and conscious to deep and unconsciousness.

Degrees of Sedation

For many, the only dental sedation required is to let the patient sit and watch television show above the dentist chair. For others, the sedation level required to get through a basic dental procedure may be total unconsciousness. Dr. Miski is experienced with all levels of dental fears and is there to work with you to achieve the level of comfort that will allow the required dental procedures to be accomplished in a safe, timely and, most importantly, stress-free manner.

There are a variety of sedation levels and techniques available, all dependent on the individual’s personal level of fear or anxiety when faced with dental procedures. These dental procedure sedation levels and techniques include:

Anxiolysis – The lowest level by anti-anxiety medication, or a light dosage of oral conscious sedation.

Mild Conscious Sedation With a very mild form of oral conscious sedation, a patient can take care of many cosmetic or restorative dental procedures in just one visit. With mild conscious sedation, patients generally do not have amnesia and remember treatment, but are still rested and do not feel any discomfort. Mild conscious sedation is usually administered through oral conscious sedation, a small pill taken before treatment.

Conscious Sedation The most commonly performed level of sedation in dentistry. A perfect level of sedation meant to complete just about any cosmetic, restorative, implant or complicated dental procedure. Patients will be conscious, but will feel as though they have been asleep and will awaken with little to no memory of the experience. Conscious sedation is delivered either through oral or IV sedation.

Oral Conscious Sedation

It’s amazing what a tiny pill can do. By taking oral conscious sedation in pill form, usually an hour before treatment begins, a patient can receive the desired level of sedation needed to relax, from light to moderate. Oral sedation is enough to rest and even create amnesia, but will not render a patient unconscious. For added safety, vital signs are monitored when a patient is under oral conscious sedation.

General anesthesia is usually reserved for dentistry done in a hospital setting for very complicated procedures.