IV stands for intravenous, which means sedative and sleeping medication is administered through the veins. Because of its rapid and predictable effects many patients prefer this relaxation and sedation option.
How does IV sedation work?
IV sedation medication is administered through a very small needle in either the top of your hand or within your inner elbow. Fear of needles is common and some patients don’t like the poking feeling with IV sedation for this reason. However, most people describe the sensation as a small pinch. In Aquarius dental our Dentist can reduce the feeling of the IV needle by applying a topical anesthetic gel where the needle will be placed.
What are the benefits and advantages of IV sedation?
The greatest advantage of IV Sedation is that the patient can be made more comfortable as required. This is completely different than general anesthesia, and patient can breathe on their own, and can respond to verbal stimuli. Just like other forms of sedation dentistry, IV sedation is designed to relax you and make you completely comfortable. IV sedation also eliminates your anxiety and pain. Because you are completely relaxed, your dentist can achieve higher quality dentistry in less time. If you have a bad gag reflex or difficulty sitting in a dental chair for prolong hours, IV sedation will help you with that as well. You’ll be so relaxed that you will be unaware of the sights, smells, and sounds of the dental office. Patients remember little-to-nothing of their appointment by the next day.
IV sedation also gives your dentist better control of the amount of medication administered and allows the dentist to readily increase or decrease your level of sedation as needed, quickly and comfortably.
An additional benefit of IV sedation includes faster onset of the sedation medications, meaning you’ll be able to feel the effects of the medication faster than the oral sedation.
What will my actual treatment with sedation like?
For sedation patients are required not eat or drink eight hours prior to their IV sedation appointment, and a companion and ride is required to take you to and from the dental office and you are not allowed to drive. Just like oral sedation, your IV sedation dentist or one of their trained assistants will be with you at all times. You will never be left alone. Patients are encouraged to wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Your dentist will closely monitor you throughout the entire appointment by tracking your blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, oxygen level, and pulse. Additional monitoring devices may be used by your dentist if needed.
Upon administration of the IV medication, you will slowly begin to feel the relaxed and at ease. The sights, smells, and noises around you will dissipate. Wrapped in warm blankets, you’ll feel warm and safe. Your dentist can usually accomplish a significantly larger amount of high-quality dentistry while you are sedated and relaxed. Because your jaw, tongue, and facial muscles are relaxed as well, your dentist can be more efficient and provide you with an ever higher level of treatment excellence.
What is the recovery time after sedation?
There is no set amount of recovery time because every patient is different. However, many patients begin to feel more alert very soon after the IV medication is stopped. Patients are encouraged to sleep and drink plenty of water and clear fluids for the remainder of the day. In regards to recovery from the actual dental work itself, your dentist will give you individualized instructions for aftercare