Why You Should Consider IV Sedation for Dental Treatment
For millions, going to the dentist for routine checkups or treatments is never a pleasant experience. Some people even avoid or delay dental care, unknowingly jeopardizing their oral and overall health. Fortunately, you no longer must avoid or postpone dental care because you dread dental procedures.
Dental sedation effectively manages dental anxiety and fear, making dental treatments more comfortable and stress-free. Among other types of sedation, IV sedation is a common type of sedation used in dentistry. This article discusses why IV sedation is vital for dental treatments.
What is IV Sedation?
Dental sedation refers to using sedative medications to relax and calm patients during dental appointments. IV sedation is a type of sedation that’s administered through a vein in the arm, directly into the bloodstream.
Compared to other types of sedation like nitrous oxide and oral sedation, IV sedation offers more profound sedation effects, and you’ll have little to no memory of what transpired during the procedure. Most patients fall asleep within 15 to 20 minutes after it’s administered.
However, you can be awakened quickly and should be able to respond to your dentist’s instructions. Once the sedation is stopped, you should wake up in about 20 to 30 minutes. It takes about six hours to recover fully from IV sedation. Visit our office for more information about sedation dentistry in Dublin, CA.
Reasons for IV Sedation
Below are the key benefits of using IV sedation during dental treatments:
● Alleviates dental fear and anxiety
Dental fear and anxiety are key reasons why people avoid dental appointments. This fear can be caused by fear of pain, past traumatic experiences, fear of what could go wrong, or simply the thought of someone working in your mouth. IV sedation can help overcome these feelings, helping you feel comfortable and relaxed during dental treatments.
● Pain management
Fear of pain is a key factor behind severe dental anxiety or phobia. Invasive dental procedures like fillings, root canals, and tooth extractions can cause significant pain or discomfort, causing dental fear for future treatments.
IV sedation often contains pain-blocking drugs, making even the most invasive treatments, like dental implant surgery, painless and comfortable. It can positively impact future dental procedures, allowing you to seek prompt dental care without fear of pain.
● Efficient dental care
IV sedation keeps you fully relaxed and comfortable, allowing your dentist to perform complex invasive dental procedures quickly and efficiently. Patients continually interrupt the dentist without sedation, leading to less efficient dental care.
● Faster treatments
IV sedation helps you stay calm and comfortable during dental procedures, making it easier for dentists to provide quality dental care efficiently in the shortest time possible. As a result, you can have multiple treatments in a single appointment and save time and money. It is beneficial if you have a busy schedule or live far from the dental clinic.
● Safety
IV sedation is safe and approved for dental treatments. To prevent complications, the dentist will constantly monitor your vitals, like blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rate. If necessary, the dentist can adjust the level of sedation throughout the procedure. Ensure the dentist you work with is trained and approved to administer IV sedation.
● For extensive dental work
When undergoing complex and lengthy dental procedures like wisdom teeth removal and dental implant surgery, your dentist can adjust and ensure that you’re sedated throughout the procedures to provide maximum comfort and safety. Compared to nitrous oxide and oral sedation, IV sedation is the best option if you require extensive dental work.
● Post-Procedure Amnesia
While IV sedation is conscious sedation, you are unlikely to remember what happened during the procedure. Post-procedure amnesia can benefit those with severe dental anxiety or undergoing complex treatments that can cause future anxiety. This amnesia allows you to look forward to future dental treatments without past fears from traumatic dental procedures.
Final Verdict
IV sedation greatly impacts dental care, providing more comfortable, safe, faster, and efficient dental treatments. For more information about IV sedation dentistry near you, contact Danner Dental to speak with our dentist in Dublin, CA.