Many people are a little nervous when it comes to dental treatment. However, if your anxiety causes you severe distress, you may want to consider sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry can help anxious patients relax during their dental appointments. There are many types of dental sedation available, but IV sedation is one of the most effective. Understanding IV sedation dentistry can help you make the best choice when it comes to your dental treatment. Here are some things patients may want to know when considering taking advantage of IV sedation:

1. Patients will have pain-free dental appointments while under the influence of IV sedation

Dentists typically use local anesthesia in order to make patients comfortable during dental procedures. If you opt for IV sedation, you will still receive injections to numb your mouth before treatment begins. However, the medication used to sedate patients also has pain-relieving properties. As a result, you will experience a comfortable and pain-free visit at the dentist's office. You may not even feel the lidocaine injections that your dentist gives you.

2. Patients can get multiple dental procedures out of the way using IV sedation

If you haven't been to the dentist's office in a while, you may need a significant amount of work done on your teeth. Typically, dentists space out restorative procedures to avoid making patients sit in the chair for extended periods of time. However, IV sedation can make even long dental appointments easy to endure. If you'd like to have multiple dental procedures completed in one day, IV sedation can help you stay comfortable while doing so. 

3. Patients will be conscious and able to respond to commands while under IV sedation

IV sedation can help you achieve a state of relaxation during your dental appointment. However, IV sedation is not general anesthesia. You will not lose consciousness during your dental appointment, although you may not remember the appointment clearly once you get home. IV sedation allows patients to stay awake during their dental procedures so they can respond to commands that their dentist gives them.

4. Patients should not drive themselves home after receiving IV sedation

After your dental procedure, you'll be free to go. However, people who have undergone IV sedation should not drive until the medication is out of their systems. This can take some time, so it's best to arrange alternate transportation home from the dentist's office. Having a friend or family member pick you up or even calling a cab can help you get home safely after your sedation dentistry treatment.

Contact a local dentist's office to learn more about IV sedation dentistry.

Share