Hi, Kerria!

Well, as it happens, sleep sedation is something I have had a LOT of experience with. I've had a LOT of dental work the last two years and I mean a LOT!! We're talking root canals, crowns, sometimes 3 teeth done at a time (I think the longest time I was in the chair was five hours....at the beginning of a hurricane! )

I used to be TERRIFIED of going to the dentist. Even the novacaine hurt. I have NO TOLERANCE for pain, none, nada, zip.

However....I have been going to my dentist for 25 years and now I look forward to going to the dentist because he has been using sleep-sedation YEARS before I heard that term on advertisements.

Again...remember - Previously terrified of going to the dentist - no pain tolerance (I'm just emphasizing this to let you know I really feel where you're coming from.)

To answer your question, the sleep part is taking the med you mentioned which also goes by the name Halcion. It is a powerful sleeping pill.

Here's my routine when I go to the dentist (this is just what *I* do)

1. Take the Halcion (now I can't remember exactly but I think it's like maybe...hmmm...a half hour or so before the appointment. Someone has to drive me to the appointment as the med takes effect very rapidly. By the time I get to the appointment I'm already wobbling (but feeling GREAT!)

2. In the chair I'm given headphones to listen to music.

3. Dental Assistant starts up nitrous oxide (also known as "laughing gas.")

4. After I'm relaxed with the nitrous (if I'm also doing the sedation I'm probably mostly asleep by this time), the dentist comes in with the novacaine shot(s). I've sometimes had to take as much as 6 shots - it takes a LOT to numb me. (Sidenote: I personally only use the sleep sedation if I'm having major work done because my dentist's work is so painless that I do regular fillings with just novacaine and the nitrous.)

This is why I travel over 25 miles to continue going to this dentist (and for 25 years!) - I NEVER, EVER, EVER feel the needle...ever!!! My doctor was just starting his practice when I started going to him and had all kinds of ways to make a patient comfortable. His goal is to not hurt a patient.

Now I have never been on this much medication when I've gone to the dentist - just Zoloft and Depakote. I have some more visits soon and I'm going to call my dentist to tell him all the meds I'm taking. I recommend telling your dentist all your psych meds. since Halcion is being used.

5. The next thing I know after drifing off to sleep, the dental assistant has started oxygen on me to clear the "fogginess" from the nitrous and after making sure I'm steady enough to walk, that's it. I never feel a thing.

The reason I said I "looked forward to it" is because most of the time I'm going from work and my job is extremely stressful, so going there is almost like going to a spa! (I know, someone who ENJOYS the dentist, go figure!)

So, from personal experience I HIGHLY recommend the sleep sedation.

Hope that helps and if you have any questions feel free to ask or send a pm!

P.S. ACK!! I just saw the date of your post - you've probably already gone to the dentist. I would be interested if you did the sedation and how it worked for you.