Conscious Sedation (awake and aware)
Oral Conscious Sedation (Pills):
A pill is taken about an hour before your treatment, which will make you feel relaxed and somewhat sleepy. You will, however, remain awake, and will be able to interact with and respond to the dentist. The sedative effects can last for up to four hours. Sometimes you may also be prescribed a pill to take the night before your treatment to help you sleep. The most commonly used oral conscious sedation medications are Halcion, Ativan or Valium, all of which generally have a low incidence of side effects.
This mode of sedation is gaining popularity and is now heavily advertised as sedation dentistry and dentistry with oral conscious sedation . However, if you hear the term sleep dentistry associated with the use of oral medications, understand that pills do not and should not put a patient to sleep. If you are a patient who wants to sleep through your dental treatment, oral medications should not be your choice of sedation. You will need to have a responsible adult drive you home.
Nitrous Oxide ( Laughing Gas )
Nitrous oxide is a gas breathed though a small rubber inhaler placed over your nose that helps decrease anxiety, allowing you to feel more relaxed. The recovery time is very short, and the effects pass within minutes, so you will be able to drive yourself home. Nitrous is best used for patients with mild anxiety who are having short, uncomplicated dental treatment.
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