Intravenous Sedation for Dental Procedure

Abstract

Apprehension and phobia regarding dental procedures are represent the most common deterrents in patients seeking dental care and very common. For these individuals, and others who cannot cooperate during care, procedural sedation may permit completion of intraoral procedures. In most cases, the level of sedation may be kept at minimal to moderate levels permitting patient maintenance of their airway patency and ventilation. Unlike many medical procedures, the majority of dental procedures, no matter the depth of sedation, are performed in the presence of complete analgesia provided by local anesthesia. Therefore, the goal of procedural sedation is to primarily suppress patient fear and apprehension and gain cooperation. Any issues regarding actual pain are usually limited to that produced by the local anesthetic injections or, rarely, the extent of the procedure. For the extremely phobic patient, however, allaying apprehension may be very challenging. Intravenous titration of sedative drugs is the most effective route of administration to achieve this goal but requires advanced training beyond that provided in undergraduate training.