IV Sedation
What is I.V. Sedation?
Conscious I.V. Sedation is utilized to increase patient comfort, safety and accuracy of procedures performed. Patients are monitored throughout the time they are sedated. Agents generally used include: Valium, Versed, and Fentanyl. No breathing tube is required because patients are not put to sleep. Conscious I.V. Sedation produces amnesia, relaxation and disrupts a patient’s sense of time. This allows for long appointments where multiple procedures may be accomplished without patient fatigue. Protective reflexes of coughing, swallowing and breathing remain intact. In many instances, oral medications will be prescribed to be taken the night before and the morning of the procedure to decrease apprehension.
Oral Sedation vs IV Sedation
Oral sedation can be a bit hit and miss. As you are taking the sedation in tablet form your doctor has to assess what dose to give you, and people react differently to different doses, so you may feel completely out of it, or you might not feel sedated enough. Oral sedation is easy to give and great if you really just want to take the edge off your anxiety.
If you want to be really sure the sedation is as deep as possible then IV Sedation is the best - your doctor has complete control over how sedated you are.
With both types you will need to be accompanied to the dental appointment and will not be able to drive/work etc. for at least 24 hours afterwards.
IV sedation method is much safer, the medications are reversible instantaneously, we monitor patients closely, and IV sedation is a true conscious sedation instead of a mere anxiolytic.
IV sedation is for:
- High Anxiety patients-patients who have had previous bad dental experiences
- Special needs or medically compromised patients or gag reflex patients
- Patients who need a lot of work done but want it done in one appointment to save time
- ANY patients who want little or no memory of their dental procedure – No matter how small the procedure!