What is the difference between Oral sedation and IV sedation?

[Larry]

I have read about IV sedation and Oral Sedation on the net. I am a very nervous patient when it comes to anything in my mouth and I would like to have which ever form of sedation that is going to make me more sedated.

Can you tell me what is the difference between oral sedation and IV sedation and which will work better?

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Oral sedation works by the dentist giving you a sedative tablet before the dental appointment and IV sedation works by direct insertion of sedation drugs into your veins by an anaesthetist during the dental appointment.

You will need to be seen for an assessment to see which system works better for you however broadly speaking Oral sedation is a bit unpredictable as sometimes it works well and sometimes it does not.

IV sedation on the other hand is titrated and so if the anaesthetist feels that you are not well sedated, he simply adds more drugs and immediately you will be more sedated and so IV sedation results are more predictable.