Oral Sedation
Depending on the total does given, oral sedation can range from minimal to moderate. The dentist will prescribe sedative medicines to you according your body condition. It’s usually taken about an hour before the procedure. The medicine will make you drowsy, although you’ll still be awake. A larger dose may be given to produce moderate sedation. Some people become groggy enough from moderate oral sedation to actually fall asleep during the procedure. They usually can, though, be awakened with a gentle shake.
Intravenous Sedation
Intravenous Conscious Sedation (IV Sedation) is when sedative medicine is administered into the blood system.
Patients normally remain conscious during conscious IV sedation. They will also be able to understand and respond to requests from the dentist, however they may not remember much (or anything at all) about what went on.
Once you requested an IV Sedation for your dental treatment, our experienced sedationist would contact you before your appointment to discuss with you about your body health conditions, and also instructions of preparing for the IV Sedation.
What are the main advantages of IV sedation?
- IV sedation tends to be the method of choice if you don’t want to be aware of the procedure – you “don’t want to know”
- The onset of action is very rapid, and the dosage and level of sedation can be tailored to meet the individual’s needs
- The maximum level of sedation which can be reached with IV is deeper than with oral or inhalation sedation
- The gag reflex is hugely diminished – people receiving IV sedation rarely experience difficulties with gagging
- Unlike General Anaesthesia or Deep Sedation, with IV sedation, people are conscious and they can cooperate with instructions, and there is no airway tube involved