Sedation in Dental Practice

Abstract

For moderate sedation to be a viable and successful technique, an understanding of the nature of pain, fear, and anxiety is essential. Moderate sedation reduces anxiety and attenuates the cardiovascular response to stress. This helps stabilize physiologic parameters to the extent that vital signs remain close to baseline, even in the presence of potentially noxious stimuli. The level of sedation is tailored to the level of patient anxiety. This is known as the spectrum of pain control. Thus, moderate sedation can change a patient’s perception, turning an objectionable procedure into something acceptable. Objectives of moderate sedation include mood alteration and pain threshold elevation while maintaining consciousness. The levels of sedation are distinctly defined for the purpose of establishing training and practice guidelines.

No one ever died in a conscious state.

—Dr. Leonard M. Monheim