Sedation Dentistry

Baltimore Sedation Dentist - Sedation Dentistry - Baltimore, MD Sedation Dentist

Conscious Sedation is defined as a minimally depressed level of consciousness that retains the patient's ability to independently and continuously maintain an airway and respond appropriately to physical stimulation and verbal command and that is produced by pharmacological or non-pharmacologic method or combination thereof.

Sedation Dentistry, sometimes called Relaxation Dentistry, refers to the way your Dentist manages pain and anxiety during dental appointments.

Unlike General Anesthesia where a patient is completely unconscious, asleep, and unable to respond,  patients under Sedation Dentistry, are able to respond to commands and breath on their own. 

There are many different ways that sedation drugs can be administered. There are 2 primary ways that Sedation is administered at The Baltimore Center of Advanced Dentistry:

1. Oral Sedation Dentistry, sometimes called  "Relaxation Dentistry" is administered by taking a pill. All body functions remain normal and the person is able to respond normally. The patient will often fall asleep. Sense of time is distorted and there is an amnesia effect which means you will not remember much of the procedure. 

2. Inhalation Sedation, utilizing Nitrous Oxide, also known as "laughing gas". This is the most frequently used sedation method used  in dentistry. All bodily functions remain normal and the person feels a light sense of "haziness" and detachment. The patient may fall asleep and experience some degree of amnesia about what happened during their dental appointment. Inhalation Sedation has been used by dentists for many years.