What is IV sedation?
If you have been put off having your dental work done because it gives rise to stress or fear, IV sedation may be right for you. In your treatment planning, our doctors will go over the pros and cons of IV sedation with you. We want you to be happy with your choice and are here to listen to your concerns during your consultation. Sedation Dentistry may be right for you if you:
- Have dental phobia or anxiety
- Are concerned about pain or discomfort
- Have trouble getting numb
- Are having a lengthy dental procedure, like getting several dental implants or extractions/wisdom teeth extractions
- Have an excessive gag relfex
During IV sedation, an anti-anxiety drug is administered via IV into the blood system while treatment is completed. This route of administering medication is more efficient and achieves a deeper level of relaxation. Additionally, IV sedation allows a more precise amount of anesthesia to be administered which makes it safer than oral sedation options. Because medications are delivered directly to the bloodstream, IV sedation not only produces sedation quickly but also allows patients to recover from sedation quickly. During IV sedation, our doctors assure your safety by monitoring your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation. The medication puts you in a deep state of relaxation, although you will be conscious and aware of your surroundings. You will probably remember little or nothing about the procedure because of the short-term amnesia it creates.
After IV sedation, it’s normal to feel groggy. To ensure your safety, ask a family member or trusted friend to drive you home afterward. Ideally, someone should stay with you for several hours as the effects of the medications wear off. You might feel exhausted for the remainder of the day, so we recommend that you drink plenty of water, relax, and rest. If you need dental work and want to find out if sedation dentistry is right for you, call our office to schedule an exam with the team.
