Sedation dentistry is a method used by dentists and oral surgeons to relax a patient in order to perform a dental procedure.  Sedation can be administered through a pill, laughing gas or intravenously (through an IV).  The different methods have different effects, are used in different circumstances, and range in price, with IVs being the most expensive and the most sedative.

There are many reasons you might want to choose sedation dentistry.  The most common reason this is used is because patients experience fear and anxiety on the dental chair.  In fact, many people even avoid going to the dentist altogether because of their fear.  Some of these have never been and some have had horrible experiences as a child or adult.  Fear can be very difficult to overcome.  In order for many of these people to get their dental needs treated, they have to use sedation.

Another reason you may need to use sedation in dentistry is because your dental needs are very extensive.  You may have no fear of the dentist or dental procedures, but your treatment under normal circumstances may require many appointments to complete.  There are some treatments that may even require months or years to complete the whole process.  In these situations sedation can allow the dentist or oral surgeon to complete the required treatment usually in only one visit.  Additionally, many people find themselves very busy with work and family obligations and it can be difficult to arrange multiple appointments.  This is another case in which you may choose sedation. 

As stated previously, there are different types of sedation.  Usually when people think of sedation they think of general anesthesia.  This type of sedation is called general because the entire body is put to sleep.  This requires that you be hooked up to a machine to help you breath.  Intravenous sedation or IV sedation requires that you receive the sedative through an IV, usually in your arm.  This method is often used in out-patient procedures performed in the office of oral surgeons.  IV sedation works well for short appointments.  The other sedation method is oral.  This method requires that you take a pill that will put you in a relaxed, restful, and amnesic state.   This method is considered very safe because you need no assistance breathing, your reflexes are still intact, and it is very difficult to overdose on the medication.

Sedation is a great option because you will remember little or nothing of your dental appointment and what occurred during your dental procedure.  This is very appealing for those that have difficulty with fear and anxiety.  The pill option is especially preferable in these situations because they forego having to consciously receive needles as well.  I say consciously because since your reflexes will still function normally under this type of sedation, local anesthesia is also required, but because of its amnesic effect, you won't remember a bit of it.

If you choose sedation, you will want to keep in mind that you will not be in any position to transport yourself home.  You will no longer be unconscious, but you will not be allowed to drive yourself home because you will most likely still be drowsy and disoriented.  Make sure that you arrange to have somebody transport you.

In most cases, patients who have been sedated will not experience discomfort the next day, aside for the pain that may be associated from whatever procedure they went through.  You can expect to feel drowsy and maybe a little nauseous, but these side effects can be due to the fact that you have not eaten for hours (you will probably receive instructions to not eat for several hours before going under sedation).  Once you have eaten and gotten a little rest, you should feel fine and be able to go about your normal activities by the next day.
  
In summary, sedation dentistry is a safe and effective way of relieving the fear and anxiety associated with going to the dentist.  It allows you to relax and have little or no memory of your dental appointments.