To perform safe and comfortable dental procedures, the dentist will sometimes need to numb part of the mouth to perform an invasive procedure. In this case, the dentist will inject a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine, into your gums or the inside of your cheek. Conscious sedation can be used to help you relax during a dental procedure. Your dentist may give you an anxiolytic, such as nitrous oxide, or a sedative, in combination with a local anesthetic for pain.
During conscious sedation, you'll stay calm during treatment and, at the same time, be rational and responsive to speech and touch. Anxiolytics and sedatives can be administered orally, by inhalation, or by injection.
