Sedation Dentistry: What It Is and Who It's For
If a dental appointment feels like too much, sedation may be worth asking about. This page takes it in order: what the term means, who it may be for, and what the common types are. What we can say about our own office is set out at the end.
What sedation dentistry is
Sedation dentistry is medication that helps you manage stress or anxiety when you have a dental procedure. In sedation dentistry, you're awake and able to respond to questions, but you don't notice pain (Cleveland Clinic).
Who it's for
You may have dental sedation if you're having a lengthy procedure or you have dental anxiety (Cleveland Clinic).
The common types
The most common types are nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation and IV sedation. Nitrous oxide is inhaled through a mask or nosepiece, and you'll start to feel calm and relaxed within three to five minutes. Oral conscious sedation is prescription medication that your dentist gives you about an hour before your procedure, and it can make you feel very tired. IV sedation is the deepest form of conscious sedation available in a dental office setting (Cleveland Clinic).
How the types differ in more detail is the subject of a separate article on how the types of dental sedation differ.
How a dentist chooses a type
A dentist recommends a sedation type based on factors like your level of anxiety about a procedure, how long the procedure will take, your health and your personal preferences (Cleveland Clinic).
Sedation at our office
Our office is at 147 Main St, 2nd Floor, Lodi, NJ 07644, and sedation options are available here. The types described above are a general overview, not a list of what we offer.
Preparing for sedation is covered separately, in the article on preparing for dental sedation. New patients can also go to our first-visit page.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. "Sedation Dentistry." Updated 2025-08-05. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22275-sedation-dentistry
