If you choose to go through with sedation dentistry, the most important factor is to have a caregiver,or designated driver, because you will be in no condition to drive after being medicated. They should also stay with you for several hours afterward to make sure you don't fall asleep and burn the house down.
The level of sedation can vary depending on the modality of the sedative. This level can range from mild to deep depending on several factors including type of surgery, length of time of surgery and the patient's level of anxiety.
The most common analgesic is through inhalation of nitrous oxide and is also the mildest use of sedation. After the patient inhales this laughing gas, they will experience a mild numbness and a general sense of well being. This level can also be achieved through the use of certain medications.
A moderate level of sedation can occur through the use of oral sedation. This will diminish overall awareness of pains, sights and sounds.
A deeper level of sedation occurs through the use of intravenous sedation where the patient is in deeper depress consciousness where movement and breathing might need to be controlled. These effects can linger for hours after surgery.
Also, to note, that these sedation methods do not replace the local anesthetics that are used during the operation but are more for the treatment of anxiety associated with visits to the dentist.
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