What can you expect to experience while sedated?
Levels of Sedation:
- Mild Sedation
- Tranquil relaxation often provided by nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or a tablet of medication similar to a sleeping aid. You are conscious and aware during mild sedation, but stress is reduced.
- Combined Sedation
- Produces a twilight-like sleep where you are responsive to verbal direction while you “daydream.” Time feels compressed and longer appointments become easier. This type of sedation is often produced by the combination of a tablet and nitrous oxide gas.
- Intravenous Sedation
- A more profound, peaceful sleep-like state. Patients will be barely aware. There may be brief periods where you are in a controlled state of unconsciousness so that you are not bothered by treatments that can cause discomfort. This is an excellent, safe, and predictable form of sedation for many patients.
- General Anesthesia
- An anaesthetic that allows for the deepest level of sedation. This is performed at Awake or Asleep by a medical anaesthetist.
