Is IV sedation right for you?

Dental anxiety can create a huge obstacle to taking care of your teeth. Some 71 per cent of New Zealand women, and 59 per cent of men, were found to experience either moderate or extreme anxiety when faced with a visit to the dentist.

What Is IV Sedation Dentistry?

IV sedation dentistry works as a form of conscious sedation to help you feel relaxed during your appointment. We administer the drug in a way to ensure it starts working quickly. The entire process is controlled and monitored by our experienced and highly trained dentist Dr Onnara Lee to ensure the safest level of sedation. This method does not put you fully to sleep, but it does make you less aware of your surroundings. That means you can still respond to verbal commands, and you should not need help breathing. Unlike other forms of sedation taken in pill form, the dentist administers the sedation intravenously, which means through your vein.

IV sedation provides several benefits:

• It starts working quickly, and you feel minimal to no pain during the procedure where you will achieve a Deep State of Relaxation.

• The dentist can monitor your vitals and easily adjust the dosage.

• It creates a long period of amnesia,Most of our patients do not remeber the procedure when they wake up.

• It allows you to cooperate for a more extended period, so your dentist can perform multiple procedures with only one appointment.

• Because you will forfeit some of your mental faculties, you will need to prepare more for IV sedation than you do for a typical dental appointment. Here's what you can expect before, during, and after your IV sedation:

Before

Your dentist will provide  instructions before your appointment. Usually, these involve recommendations to. Wear comfortable clothing, avoid eating or drinking within 4 hours of your appointment and stop taking certain medications (unless previously approved). You will need to provide a complete medical history and alert your dentist to any changes beforehand. Also, line up a driver to take you to the appointment and pick you up.

During

Once you make it to the dental chair, a dental professional will start an IV in your hand or arm. The dentist will monitor your pulse, breathing, and blood pressure throughout the procedure to watch for any adverse reactions. You should immediately feel relaxed and unaware of any sights, smells, or sounds.

After

After the procedure, you might feel slightly drowsy for several hours. Your driver will collect any post-procedure instructions from the dentist and take you home they will be required to look after you for 4 hours post procedure. You will need to clear your calendar for the next 24 hours and avoid strenuous activity, driving a car, alcohol, operating heavy machinery, or making major life decisions. Complications with sedation are rare but contact the dentist immediately if you suspect any problems.

Are You a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?

Before your dentist schedules you for IV sedation, you will undergo a health evaluation, including a review of your medical history and medication use. Patients who are older or have significant medical considerations might first require a consultation with their primary care physician or medical specialist. Typically, good candidates for IV sedation include:

• Those with moderate to high dental anxiety

• Those who need more painful dental work

• Those with a strong gag reflex

• Those who need longer or multiple procedures

Ultimately, your dentist knows best if IV sedation is right for you. However, the ability to offer IV sedation requires extra training, so check with your dental office to see what's available. If dental anxiety prevents you from receiving the treatment you need, know your options for relaxing and comfortable oral care.

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