Intravenous Sedation for Oral Surgery

Despite modern local anaesthesia procedures allowing a painless treatment, many patients remain fearful towards dental procedures. This is in particular true for treatments in the field of oral surgery, as the removal of wisdom teeth as well as for the treatment of children. For these patients, intravenous sedation may present an alternative treatment option to local or general anaesthesia. The aim of this article is an evidence-based evaluation of sedation procedures with regard to their application in dentistry and oral surgery. The first part of the article considers clinical, pharmacological and practical aspects of intravenous sedatives.