Approximately 36% of Americans avoid dental visits because they’re afraid or anxious. In extreme circumstances, you may end up losing teeth, developing an infection, or developing oral cancer by refusing dental care. Fortunately, the dental team at Texas Choice Dental in Humble utilizes dental IV sedation techniques to help their patients get the necessary dental care without experiencing pain or anxiety.
What is IV Sedation?
In intravenous sedation, an anti-anxiety drug is injected directly into the bloodstream when receiving dental treatment. A sedation dental treatment that uses IV sedation is also known as a ‘twilight’ or ‘sleep’ procedure.
However, the sedation does not make you sleepy. Instead, it allows you to relax and feel calm. Because of this, you will be capable of responding to your dentist’s questions, but your treatment strategy will remain vague.
What Is the Procedure for IV Sedation?
At the start of your dental appointment at Texas Choice Dental, the dentist will insert a small needle into your hand or arm. The sedative is delivered directly into the bloodstream via an intravenous tube attached to the needle. If you’re afraid of needles, your dentist can apply numbing cream in the injection area.
Most patients may keep the IV throughout the procedure, but this may not work for everyone. In this scenario, the drug is administered, followed by a needle removal.
Both instances achieve conscious sedation for our patients. Your dentist or dental assistant at Texas Choice Dental will constantly monitor your pulse and oxygen levels to ensure you don’t have an adverse reaction to the sedative. The procedure will also require you to have your blood pressure checked before and after. A little grogginess is possible afterward. You might want to have a friend or family member drive you home. Taking the whole day off from work or school is also a good idea so you can rest.
Benefits of IV Sedation
IV sedation dentistry is more beneficial than other forms of sedation for many reasons. For most, taking sedatives through the bloodstream leads to faster effects. Also, our patients with a gag reflex benefit from IV sedation.
A sedative administered intravenously does not affect body processes but merely eliminates the ability to feel pain. Therefore, you can breathe or move independently. It’s also easier for the dental professional to identify any abnormalities during the procedure and intervene quickly if necessary.
With intravenous sedation, our dentists can perform multiple procedures in one visit. Patients who need extensive dental work have their treatments completed in fewer appointments. As a result, dental visits are less stressful and expensive.
When under IV sedation, the patient is in an “amnestic state,” meaning they have little to no memory of the procedure. The patient is unaware of the smells, sounds, and sights of the dental office or procedure.
After the procedure, there is less discomfort because the sedation has fewer side effects than general anesthesia.
Are You a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?
If you are nervous about needles, the dentist, or dental procedures, IV sedation is a good option. Your dentist at Texas Choice Dental may also recommend this form of sedation for more complex procedures, such as root canals, implant placement, and extractions. Additionally, if you have dental anxiety and need to undergo multiple oral surgeries, you may opt for IV sedation.
You should also disclose prescription or over-the-counter medications during the consultation. For further information about sedation techniques, consult our Humble dentist.
