Types of Sedation In Dentistry

There are different types of sedation in dentistry, the choice of method depends on the qualifications of the dentist, the patient’s condition and the equipment of the clinic.

What is sedation

Sedation is the reduction of irritability or arousal by the use of medications, mainly to facilitate medical procedures.

Degrees of sedation

Sedation differs in the degree of immersion of a person in a sleepy state:

🔹 Mild sedation (conscious person, relaxed) – achieved by inhalation of nitride oxide gas or taking sedatives, tranquilizers (Valium, Halcion);

🔹 Moderate sedation (a person partly conscious, slow reaction and speech, partly remembers what happened during the procedure) – is achieved mainly by intravenous sedation. Supervised exclusively by the dentist, may be interrupted if necessary during the procedure (for example, the patient needs to rest or go to the toilet);

🔹 Deep sedation (the person is on the verge of consciousness – unconsciousness) – is achieved by a higher dose of intravenous drugs;

🔹 General anesthesia (unconscious, unable to breathe, under anesthesiologist’s supervision. Intubation required for artificial lung ventilation).

The type of sedation depends on the type of intervention and the problem the patient has.

Undoubtedly, any methods of intervention in the body can have certain side effects. However, most opinions about the dangers of general anesthesia for children and adults are just myths.

We will talk about them in the following posts.

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