What is oral sedation?

Oral sedation is a tablet taken before a dental appointment that leaves you deeply relaxed while still able to respond during treatment. Because it is taken before you arrive, there is nothing to inhale and no needle for the sedation itself. Most patients remember very little of the visit afterwards.

Can I drive myself home?

No, you will need someone to drive you home after oral sedation. The effect lasts beyond the appointment, so arrange the driver before the day rather than on it. Plan the rest of the day around it too, since this is not something to fit into a lunch break.

No, you are not asleep: you stay relaxed and responsive throughout the appointment. Many patients remember very little of the visit afterwards, but you are not unconscious at any point. For some people that reduced memory is the whole point, because the memory of previous appointments is what keeps them out of the chair.

How is it different from nitrous oxide?

Oral sedation is deeper than nitrous oxide and lasts beyond the appointment, while nitrous oxide wears off within minutes. Nitrous oxide is inhaled, so you can drive yourself home afterwards. Oral sedation is a tablet taken before the appointment, and it needs a driver and an afternoon set aside.

When would you suggest IV instead?

IV sedation is suggested for longer surgical appointments and for patients with significant dental anxiety. It is the deepest of the three options and is given intravenously rather than as a tablet. Which of the three suits you depends on the treatment and on you.

Do I need to arrange it in advance?

Yes, oral sedation needs to be arranged in advance, so mention it when you book. The tablet has to be planned for, and so does the driver who will take you home. If you feel anxious about the dentist, saying so when you book helps the appointment be planned around you.

Comfort

Oral Sedation in Downtown Los Angeles

A tablet before the appointment, and the visit passes easily.

For treatment you would rather not be fully present for, oral sedation sits between nitrous oxide and IV. Smile LA Downtown Modern Dentistry offers all three, and which one suits depends on the treatment and on you.

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Hand holding a sedation tablet and a glass of water

How it works

How oral sedation works

You take a tablet before the appointment, so it is already working by the time treatment starts. It leaves you deeply relaxed and much less aware of the appointment passing, while still able to respond to us throughout. Most patients remember very little of the visit afterwards, which for some people is the entire point — the memory of previous appointments is often the thing keeping them out of the chair. It sits in the middle of the three options we offer, and the middle is a real position rather than a compromise: deeper than nitrous oxide, without the planning and the recovery of an intravenous route. What it does ask of you is a driver and an afternoon.

Taken before you arrive

Nothing to inhale and no needle for the sedation itself.
You will need a driver

The effect lasts beyond the appointment, so arrange for someone to take you home before the day.
You stay responsive

Relaxed rather than unconscious.
Plan the day around it

Unlike nitrous oxide, this is not something to fit into a lunch break.

The three compared

Choosing between the three

Nitrous oxide

Inhaled, wears off within minutes, and you can drive yourself home. See nitrous oxide sedation.
Oral sedation

This page — a tablet, and a driver.
IV sedation

For longer surgical appointments and for patients with significant dental anxiety. See IV sedation.

Tell us when you book

Anxiety about the dentist is common and it is worth saying so in advance — oral sedation in particular has to be planned, because of the tablet and the driver. All three options are set out together on the technology page.

The reception desk and waiting area, with black armchairs against a dark panelled wall

The short answer

Oral sedation is a form of dental sedation in which you take a tablet before the appointment, so it is already working by the time treatment starts. It leaves you deeply relaxed and much less aware of the appointment passing while you stay responsive, and because the effect lasts beyond the visit you need someone to drive you home. It is the middle of the three sedation options, deeper than nitrous oxide without the planning and recovery of IV sedation.

Oral Sedation FAQ

What is oral sedation?: Oral sedation is a tablet taken before a dental appointment that leaves you deeply relaxed while still able to respond during treatment. Because it is taken before you arrive, there is nothing to inhale and no needle for the sedation itself. Most patients remember very little of the visit afterwards.
Can I drive myself home?: No, you will need someone to drive you home after oral sedation. The effect lasts beyond the appointment, so arrange the driver before the day rather than on it. Plan the rest of the day around it too, since this is not something to fit into a lunch break.
Will I be asleep?: No, you are not asleep: you stay relaxed and responsive throughout the appointment. Many patients remember very little of the visit afterwards, but you are not unconscious at any point. For some people that reduced memory is the whole point, because the memory of previous appointments is what keeps them out of the chair.
How is it different from nitrous oxide?: Oral sedation is deeper than nitrous oxide and lasts beyond the appointment, while nitrous oxide wears off within minutes. Nitrous oxide is inhaled, so you can drive yourself home afterwards. Oral sedation is a tablet taken before the appointment, and it needs a driver and an afternoon set aside.
When would you suggest IV instead?: IV sedation is suggested for longer surgical appointments and for patients with significant dental anxiety. It is the deepest of the three options and is given intravenously rather than as a tablet. Which of the three suits you depends on the treatment and on you.
Do I need to arrange it in advance?: Yes, oral sedation needs to be arranged in advance, so mention it when you book. The tablet has to be planned for, and so does the driver who will take you home. If you feel anxious about the dentist, saying so when you book helps the appointment be planned around you.