title: Conscious Intravenous Sedation in Dentistry: A Review of Current Therapy.
abstract: Several sedation options are used to minimize pain, anxiety, and discomfort during oral surgery procedures. Minimizing or eliminating pain and anxiety for dental care is the primary goal for conscious sedation. Intravenous conscious sedation is a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients respond purposefully to verbal commands. No interventions are required to maintain a patent airway, and spontaneous ventilation is adequate as well as cardiovascular function. Patients must retain their protective airway reflexes, and respond to and understand verbal communication. The drugs and techniques used must therefore carry a broad margin of safety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, 1005 Dr. DB Todd Jr. Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37208, USA. Electronic address: jsoutherland@mmc.edu.
authors.forename: Janet H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Southerland
authors.affiliation: Dadeland Oral Surgery Associates, 8950 S.W. 74th Court, Suite 1610, Miami Florida 33156; Baptist Hospital Of Miami, 8900 North Kendall Drive, Miami Florida 33176.
authors.forename: Lawrence R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000766:Anesthesia, Dental; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D003813:Dentistry; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain
keywords: Airway assessment; Dental anxiety; Dental pain; IV conscious sedation; Moderate sedation; Monitoring; Pharmacotherapeutics; Sedation guidelines