Sedation and Anesthesia
Sedation monitoring
Sedation monitoring is the ongoing checking of a patient's heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen level and alertness while sedation medicine is in use.
When a dentist uses sedation medicine, the patient is watched closely. The ADA's sedation guidelines say the qualified dentist or trained clinical staff must continually monitor blood pressure, heart rate, oxygenation and level of consciousness. Oxygen level is checked by pulse oximetry, a small sensor, often on a finger.
The exact checks depend on how deep the sedation is. Deeper levels need more equipment and more trained staff. This entry explains the idea in general terms and does not describe what any one office offers.
Town Center Dental explains the sedation it provides on the sedation dentistry page. If you have dental anxiety, talk with your dentist before treatment.