The prospect of dental treatment produces only a mild anxiety for some, but a tremendous amount of fear and dread for others. Even the advances in techniques and technology, may not be sufficient to overcome this concern. The use of relaxing medications greatly reduces the stresses associated with dental care for the truly anxious, fearful individual. Conscious sedation involves the use of drugs to manage anxiety and can take several forms. These include “laughing gas” or nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation, pills and administration of drugs into a muscle (intramuscular) or a vein (intravenous). Patients undergoing sedation for dental treatment are monitored
electronically by non-invasive means for stability of vital signs, including respiration, heart rate and blood
pressure.

Conscious sedation causes changes in the level of alertness. Each patient remains responsive to verbal or tactile stimulation during the dental procedure. The variable degree of relaxation and amnesia attainable with sedation dentistry enables dental procedures of any length to be accomplished for the patient.