IV Sedation

What is Intravenous Sedation?

Author: PV Smiles Reem Kidess | Posted on with comments

Intravenous sedation is one of many sedation techniques used by qualified and certified sedation dentists. Intravenous sedation, otherwise known as IV Sedation, is not an option offered at every dental office because it requires additional training and certification beyond the scope of undergraduate schools of dentistry. What is intravenous sedation, and how is it used to help patients in dentistry?

Sedation Dentistry – IV Sedation

If your dentist offers IV sedation, they have taken the time and commitment to continue their education after graduating from dental school. IV sedation can only be offered as a dental procedure solution by those who have been specially trained and certified in its use and application. There are many benefits to using IV sedation, including rapid onset of sedation drugs for dental procedures, the ability to keenly control administration, and relatively quick recovery after removing the medication. Intravenous sedation can be used in a variety of applications, including a solution for those paralyzed by their fear of the dentist. Intravenous sedation for wisdom teeth removal is another common indication for use.

How Does Intravenous Sedation Work?

IV sedation begins with a discussion with your dentist. Your dentist will take an extensive health inventory and medical history to ensure that IV sedation is an appropriate and safe option for you. It is critical to fully disclose your health history and answer your dentist’s questions with candor. If there are things your dentist did not ask you about your health or habits that you believe may be relevant, it is a good idea to mention those things also. Your dentist may select different medications based on your disclosures. If your dentist determines that IV sedation is not a safe option for you, you’ll still be able to discuss alternative sedation options.

Before Your Appointment

Your doctor will give you specific instructions to prepare you for your appointment. Pre-op typically includes refraining from food and liquids due to the risk of vomiting and aspirating food into your lungs while sedated. These pre-operative instructions are critical for your safety and success.

The Day of Your Appointment

During your appointment, sedation medication is administered using a thin needle inserted under the skin of the arm or wrist of a patient. Some dentists may also numb the area where the needle will be inserted to further reduce anxiety in those patients who are afraid of needles. Medications may include a sedative to relax the body and cause you to feel drowsy, and something for pain control. What medications a dentist chooses to use will depend on an individual’s circumstances. In most cases, sedation medication puts a patient into a twilight-like state of consciousness. The patient is awake, but not keenly aware of anything happening around them. As the medication is removed, this twilight state of consciousness moves toward an amnesia effect, meaning that patients are unlikely to remember anything that happened during the procedure after they “wake up.”

When is IV Sedation Used?

  • Intravenous Sedation for Wisdom Teeth Removal. One of the more well-known applications of IV sedation in dentistry is wisdom teeth removal. Wisdom teeth are the third set of “extra” molars located in the very back corners of the mouth. Wisdom teeth are often surgically removed before they erupt to prevent overcrowding and shifting bite. Wisdom teeth that are causing pain may be impacted; meaning that they have no room to erupt through the gumline, either because they are growing in at an angle against the adjacent molar, toward the back of the jaw, or they are trapped within the jawbone. Intravenous sedation for wisdom teeth removal requires performance by an oral surgeon or a sedation dentist certified in IV sedation therapy.
  • Intravenous Sedation for Successive or Long Procedures. A treatment plan that would typically need to be spread out into several appointments may now be accomplished in one or two longer visits thanks to IV sedation. The result is less time off from work or school and less time in the dentist’s office. Fewer visits mean less anxiety leading up to those visits.
  • Intravenous Sedation for Odontophobia – Dental Anxiety. Dental anxiety is a reality for some, and if you don’t experience it, chances are pretty good that one of your loved ones does. Dental anxiety can range anywhere from mild to extreme. For someone who falls on the extreme end of the spectrum, intravenous sedation may be the answer they need to get the treatment they’ve been avoiding.

Is IV Sedation Right for Me? – Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, AZ

If you’re looking for a quality sedation dentist in Scottsdale, AZ, we invite you to schedule a virtual consultation to see how we can help bring a brighter and more confident smile to your face. We specialize in sedation dentistry and use the latest advanced technology to help you get the most out of each visit. Dr. Reem Kidess is a certified sedation dentist with more than 23 years of experience helping others like you achieve their dental goals. (See what our patients are saying.) Whether it’s anxiety that keeps you from seeing the dentist or you are looking for excellence in restoration, including dental implants and veneers, you can trust Dr. Kidess and her compassionate team to take care of you