This dental procedure code applies to the administration of anesthetic drugs once the first 30 minutes of sedation have elapsed.
The dental procedure code applies to the dental use of intravenous (IV) sedation to reduce anxiety during a variety of dental procedures. It refers only to anxiety-controlling drugs, not local anesthetic.
Drugs used in this procedure are non-narcotic, so they are not responsible for blocking pain; however, they are effective in reducing fear and calming patients prior to and during procedures.
Drugs used in IV conscious sedation are members of the benzodiazepine (benzos) family.
Intravenous conscious sedation/analgesia aims to:
- Reduce or eliminate anxiety
- Minimize movement during dental treatment
- Enhance the clarity of communication and aid patient cooperation
- Temporarily increase one's pain threshold
- Increase tolerance for longer appointments
- Aid in treatment of the mentally/physically disabled or medically compromised patient
- Reduce gagging
- Enhance the effect of sedatives
To look up and find more CDT dental codes from the American Dental Association, please visit our complete Dental Procedure Code Library.