IV (Intravenous) Sedation

People fear going to see their dentist or oral surgeon because of the possibility of feeling discomfort or pain during the examination or treatment. An ordinary cleaning procedure frightens many people and many more are terrified of more involved treatments such as root canal and fillings. But, dental health affects the overall health of a person, and people who take care of their oral health can experience better overall health than those who neglect their oral health. Though pain is a possibility with these procedures, they are still necessary because not doing them could result in more serious pain and consequential health risks. Sedation dentistry has become a very common way for dentists to treat apprehensive and anxious patients.

Sedation dentistry offers many fear- and anxiety-relieving options. Many patients prefer to have intravenous drugs which often render a patient into a light sleep. Depending on the dosage, IV sedation allows the patient to remain "conscious", but prevents them from being aware of the procedure. Numbing agents are injected into the area being treated once the sedation medication has taken affect.

The majority of the patients who have undergone IV sedation cannot tell how long the procedure took; they feel that they have spent only a few minutes in the dentist’s chair, when the actual time is more like an hour.

Patients will need to arrange for someone to drive them home and stay with them for the remainder of the day since the drugs can take several hours to wear off.

IV sedation is not available to everyone; pregnant women, patient who have problems with their lungs, kidneys or liver, and who are allergic to some sedatives, may not be allowed to use this option.

The innovation of IV sedation means that patients who are normally afraid of having any sort of dental treatment done do not have to be afraid anymore.

People afraid of dental treatment should first talk it over with their dentist and find out how sedation dentistry can be integrated into their treatment plans. Many people have discovered that, through the use of IV sedation, they need no longer be afraid of dental treatment.