Intravenous sedation of the periodontal surgical patient.

A safe sedation technique for the periodontal surgical patient has been discussed. By utilizing the drugs discussed and titrating the dosage to the needs of the patient, intravenous sedation will last long enough to complete the selected periodontal surgical procedure. The Jorgenson combinatione of drugs seems ideal for procedures lasting two or more hours, while diazepam is more desirable for those of shorter duration. Patient and surgeon comfort is coexistent with the patient's safety. Although the intravenous route is considered to be the most dangerous of all, when it is employed with optimum care and on well-selected patients, it is possibly one of the safest.