IV Sedation Dentistry Questions

Going to the Dentist is apart of life. Maintaining good oral hygiene by getting frequent visits and cleanings is vital to the overall health of your mouth. For most people, visiting the dentist is just apart of life. Most people don’t see it as a fun activity, but accept it as just something they have to do. For others however, visiting the dentist can cause extreme anxiety. It is estimated that about 15% of the population suffers from this dental anxiety. For these 15%, going to the dentist becomes a nightmare. In some cases, the fear of this nightmare can keep these people from visiting the dentist at all, which puts there overall oral health in jeopardy. If you are one of these people, there is good news. There are several forms of sedation dentistry columbus ohio available to help you calm down and face the dentist without fear.

IV Sedation Dentistry

In cases of extreme anxiety, some patients and dentists will opt to go for IV sedation in order to help them get through their dental visit. Usually, this type of sedation is reserved for extreme anxiety cases. In less severe cases, sedations such as inhaling nitrous oxide or taking a pill are usually used. It also depends on the type of procedure being done. If the procedure is more invasive, it may warrant the use of an IV.

Sometimes this form of sedation is called conscious sedation. It puts you in a state where you are not fully asleep, but you are also not fully awake. It’s a sort of middle ground. You are essentially less aware of your surroundings and therefore, less anxious about the dental procedure. Your dentist is able to easily adjust the dose that is given to make sure that you have just the right amount of sedation. It also has some amnesia associated with it, so you won’t remember your dental procedure.

The process is simple. Your dentist will insert an IV in your arm and in no time, your dental visit will be over and you’ll wonder what happened. The only downside to this form of sedation versus some of the others is that your dentist will need to be trained and licensed in administering it. Not all dentists are able to do it.

What is the process?

A few hours before, you’ll need to make a few adjustments to your life. You shouldn’t eat or drink anything at least eight hours prior to your visit. After the dentist inserts the IV and begins the process you will become relaxed. You won’t really know what is going on around you. You may be able to follow basic commands but won’t remember them when you wake up. You are able to breathe on your own while sedated and won’t need to have your heart monitored. If you need local anesthetics for procedures such as filling cavities, it will be given after you are sedated. After the procedure, you will be groggy. This means that you will need someone to drive you home. You also should clear your schedule for the rest of the day because you’ll feel like taking a nap.

If you think you are a candidate for IV Sedation Dentistry, talk to your dentist. They will be able to let you know the specifics of your procedure and if you are a good candidate.

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