Fear is an emotion that everyone experiences throughout their lives; whether it’s rollercoasters, snakes, scary movies, or something else entirely, it’s normal to occasionally feel a pang of fear or anxiety when we encounter something we don’t like. However, just because something’s common doesn’t mean it’s always easy to deal with, and patients with dental-related anxiety often have a pretty tough time whenever they need to see their dentist. Luckily, sedation dentistry can help with these situations – and numerous others! Here’s more about IV sedation, one of the most effective forms of dental sedation.
What Exactly Is IV Sedation?
IV sedation works as a form of conscious sedation to help you feel relaxed during your appointment. This method does not put you fully to sleep but instead makes you far less aware of your surroundings. You’ll still be responsive to verbal commands and physical stimuli like gentle nudging, and your breathing won’t be impaired – but you’ll probably feel a little groggy. Unlike other forms of sedation that are inhaled or orally ingested, the medicine is administered intravenously, which simply means directly through your vein.
Note that your dentist will provide you with specific instructions to ensure that your appointment goes as smoothly as possible. You’ll need to wear comfortable clothing, refrain from eating before the appointment, and arrange for someone to drive you home afterward.
The Benefits of IV Sedation
Just like other forms of dental sedation, IV sedation comes with all kinds of benefits for patients including:
- It starts working quickly and the dosage can easily be adjusted as needed; while under its effects, patients feel no pain during their procedure.
- A patient’s vitals are closely monitored throughout the whole procedure, ensuring maximum safety.
- Patients don’t remember anything about their procedure since it creates a long period of amnesia.
- It makes patients more cooperative, which in turn makes performing treatment easier for all parties involved.
Am I a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?
Sedation is safe for most people, but your dentist will ask several questions about your overall health before determining if you’re a good candidate for IV sedation since certain medical conditions or medications might interfere with the treatment.
But for the most part, patients who are in decent health who are anxious about dental care, undergoing complex or lengthy treatments, or who simply want their next dental visit to be a breeze can all benefit from IV sedation.
About the Author
Dr. John White received his DDS from the University of North Carolina and has proudly served the dental needs of patients and families in his hometown of Asheville for several years. His practice offers a wide range of dental services, as well as numerous sedation solutions including IV sedation. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the team to set up an appointment, please reach out online or over the phone for information or assistance. Telephone: (828) 684-3020.