IV Sedation and "Twilight Anesthesia"
While general anesthesia puts patients to sleep for surgery, intravenous sedation (IV sedation) allows the person receiving the dental implants to remain fully conscious but in a deeply relaxed state.
Yes, that's right, you remain awake.
The sedative used is commonly referred to as "twilight anesthesia" because you won't have any memory of what happened once it wears off, despite being awake.
This not only solves the short-term problem of placing dental implants but also begins to help improve longer-term dental anxiety. Patients who receive sedation for dental implants and other treatments are more likely to return for future dental visits and treatment rather than letting things go until it's too late.
IV sedation is generally considered to be safer than general anesthesia, which would put you completely to sleep. Staying awake during the procedure allows you to respond to the surgeon's instructions and remain aware of what is happening to you, even though you won't remember it.