subject: Sedation Dentistry Los Gatos CA-IV Sedation vs Oral Sedation [print this page] Sedation Dentistry Los Gatos CA-IV Sedation vs Oral Sedation
IV sedation is one of several types of conscious sedation that are currently used in sedation dentistry. It is a moderate level of sedation and may be referred to as twilight or dental sleep. However, the patient is not actually asleep; they are in a very relaxed state. When IV sedation is used, sedatives are administered intravenously; this allows the dentist to control the level of sedation that the patient receives during the procedure.
After the sedatives have taken effect the patient may receive a local anesthetic to deaden the pain. The patient will be in a deep state of relaxation, which frees them from any anxiety over having the procedure. They are not asleep and are able to respond to the dentists questions and commands. However, they will probably not remember much about the procedure.
During the procedure, the dentist and the dental assistants will carefully monitor youre your pulse and oxygen levels. A pulse oximeter will be clipped to a finger or perhaps an earlobe and will measure your pulse and oxygen level.
The drugs most often used as the sedative in IV sedation dentistry are Midazolam or Diazepam. Diazepam is more commonly known as Valium.
These drugs will:
reduce anxiety and put you into a relaxed state
make you sleepy to the point where you make fall asleep but are easily awakened
produce partial or total amnesia surrounding the dental procedure.
Oral sedation also allows a patient to achieve a moderate level of sedation. The patient is given a drug in pill form approximately one hour before the procedure. This allows the patient, as the drugs take effect, to become very relaxed. Valium or Halcion are the commonly used drugs.
Oral sedation is not a painkiller and after the drugs have taken affect and the patient is relaxed the dentist will administer a local anesthetic. The patient will remain awake, though relaxed and will be able to answer the dentists questions and follow his/her commands.
One aspect of oral sedation is that there is not a way to be certain what the ideal dosage is for a patient until they have been given a standard dose for their weight, height, and sex. Even then, the effects of the drug will vary from patient to patient. This is one reason why it is so important to have a well-trained dentist. As with the IV sedation, you will need an escort to drive you home and stay with you until the pills have worn off.
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