Oral Sedation

Also known as: sedation dentistry.

What is oral sedation?

Sedation is the process of making a patient unconscious or semi-conscious for a complex dental or medical procedure. With oral sedation, the medication that causes sedation is administered through the mouth, usually in liquid or pill form, in order to cause the patient to enter the unconscious or semi-conscious state.

What happens during the procedure?

If sedation is required for the dental procedure, the patient will likely take it shortly after arriving for his or her appointment. It often takes 20 minutes to begin working. It should last for the entire time needed to perform the procedure.

Is any special preparation needed?

The patient will need to avoid food, drink and certain medications prior to the procedure.

What are the risk factors?

Complications from oral sedation are rare. Patients may be groggy or disoriented upon waking from the sedation. In some cases, allergic reactions to the medication can occur.


Reviewed by: Rosie Roldan, DMD, MD

This page was last updated on: June 24, 2021 03:45 PM

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