---
title: "What Is Minimal sedation? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "Minimal sedation is the lightest level of sedation, in which you feel relaxed but stay awake and can answer questions normally."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/minimal-sedation
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Sedation and Anesthesia

# Minimal sedation

Minimal sedation is the lightest level of sedation, in which you feel relaxed but stay awake and can answer questions normally.

The ADA describes minimal sedation as relaxed and awake. Your thinking, breathing, and reflexes stay normal. It is the level most often reached with a gas such as [nitrous oxide](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/nitrous-oxide-laughing-gas), and it can also be reached with a low dose of a pill. It helps with mild worry. It is a lighter level than [moderate sedation](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/moderate-sedation), in which you may be sleepy but still awake. Even at the lightest level, a dentist needs to review your health history. The rules for sedation vary by level and by state. This entry explains the term in general. See [dental anxiety](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-anxiety) and oral conscious sedation.

## Related terms

-   [Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/nitrous-oxide-laughing-gas)
-   [Moderate sedation](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/moderate-sedation)
-   [Oral conscious sedation](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/oral-conscious-sedation)
-   [Dental anxiety](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-anxiety)
-   [General anesthesia](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/general-anesthesia)

## Sources

1.  [ADA MouthHealthy: Anesthesia and Sedation for Your Child](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/anesthesia-and-sedation-for-your-child)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)