Which of the following is NOT a method of sedation in dentistry?

In dentistry, sedation is primarily used to help manage patient anxiety, discomfort, and pain during procedures. The correct answer identifies physical restraints as not being a method of sedation.

While IV sedation, inhalation sedation, and oral sedation are all recognized methods of providing sedation to patients, each involves the administration of anesthetic agents to achieve a sedative effect. IV sedation involves delivering sedative medications directly into the bloodstream, allowing for rapid onset and precise dose control. Inhalation sedation uses gases, commonly nitrous oxide, which patients inhale to achieve sedation effects. Oral sedation involves administering sedatives in pill or liquid form, which the patient swallows to induce relaxation and reduced anxiety.

Physical restraints, on the other hand, do not chemically sedate a patient; they are merely used to limit a patient's mobility or secure them for safety reasons. While restraints may be used during treatments for certain patients to prevent injury or movement, they do not serve to sedate the patient and thus are not considered a sedation method in dentistry. This understanding clarifies the importance of distinguishing between pain management methods and sedation techniques used to enhance patient comfort during dental procedures.