Laughing gas is an inhaled substance that is provided immediately prior to dental treatment. The patient will take in the substance by wearing a mask over their nose and then breathing the gas in through their nose. Laughing gas is great for reducing patient anxiety, and the medicine is appropriate for patients of all ages. Patients who receive laughing gas will still be entirely aware of their surroundings, and the effect will wear off once the medicine is no longer being administered.

Oral sedation involves taking the sedative medication through a drink or by pill. This option is available to adults as a way to help them relax during their appointment, while remaining awake and being closely monitored. Since oral sedation will cause a feeling of drowsiness, patients should arrange for someone to drop them off and pick them up from their appointment. Side effects from oral sedation dentistry are rare, but nausea is possible.

Children may be eligible for oral sedation if they are especially anxious or uncooperative for their dental care. If this technique is used for a pediatric patient, the parent may need to help prepare their child. This often includes limiting their food and drink beforehand, having them wear comfortable clothes for their visit, and supervising them for several hours afterwards.

Intravenous sedation, also known as "twilight sleep" or "conscious sedation," will put you in a safe, relaxed, and comfortable state throughout your surgery.  It is the most effective means of reducing awareness and anxiety for dental procedures.  It is administered through an intravenous line (an IV), and is therefore much more predictable in terms of effectiveness due to the quick onset of action.  Although the patient is technically conscious throughout the procedure, in most cases, they will be completely unaware of the dental procedure.  The disadvantage of conscious sedation is, of course, the increased cost and the need for an escort home after the procedure.  But, for the patient who wants to be "the most" comfortable during the procedure, it is certainly the best way to go.

General anesthesia is the strongest form of sedation, and it will allow a patient to be asleep and unaware while dental work is being completed. This type of sedation is reserved for the most serious procedures, and it is only administered by an anesthesiologist. The patient will not remember any of the treatment that took place, and they will have no negative recollection of the experience. Since the general anesthesia can take several hours to wear off, the patient will be required to have another party provide transportation and be able to take care of them on their behalf the rest of the day when receiving this type of sedation.