SEDATION DENTISTRY
WHAT IS "GENERAL ANESTHESIA?"
General anesthesia is an induced state of unconsciousness, accompanied by partial or complete loss of protective reflexes, including the inability to continually maintain an airway independently and respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command, and is produced by a pharmacologic and/or non-pharmacologic method.
WHAT IS "DEEP SEDATION?"
Deep sedation is an induced state of depressed consciousness accompanied by partial loss of protective reflexes, including the inability to continually maintain an airway independently and/or to respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command. It is produced by a pharmacologic and/or non-pharmacologic method.
WHAT IS "CONSCIOUS SEDATION?"
Conscious sedation is a minimally depressed level of consciousness in which the patient can independently and continuously maintain an airway and respond appropriately to physical stimulation and verbal command and that is produced by a pharmacologic and/or non-pharmacologic method. Patients whose only response is reflex withdrawal from repeated painful stimuli are not considered to be in a state of conscious sedation.
WHAT IS "PARENTERAL?"
Parenteral is a technique of administration in which the drug bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, including but not limited to intramuscular, intravenous, intranasal, submucosal, subcutaneous, and intra-ocular administration.
WHAT IS "ENTERAL?"
Enteral is a technique of administration in which the agent is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract or oral mucosa, including but not limited to oral, rectal, and sublingual administration.
WHAT IS "INHALATION?"
Inhalation is a technique of administration in which a gaseous or volatile agent is introduced into the pulmonary tree and whose primary effect is due to the absorption through the pulmonary bed.