Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Dental anxiety is a significant barrier to effective dental treatment, often resulting in delayed care. Various sedation protocols are utilized to manage this anxiety, but comparative data on their safety and efficacy are limited. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial compared the safety and efficacy of oral midazolam, nitrous oxide, and intravenous (IV) sedation in managing dental anxiety in adult patients. Key parameters included anxiety reduction using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), time to onset of sedation, patient satisfaction, and adverse effects. RESULTS: Patients receiving IV sedation showed the fastest onset and highest anxiety reduction, but oral midazolam exhibited fewer side effects. Patient satisfaction was highest with IV sedation. CONCLUSION: IV sedation was found to be the most effective in reducing anxiety, while oral midazolam offered better safety. Future studies should further explore patient-specific protocols.