Most people who receive intravenous sedation fall asleep and have little or no memory of their treatment when they wake up. This option is best for those with severe dental anxiety or those who undergo lengthy procedures. Intravenous (IV) sedation refers to the administration of an anti-anxiety medication through the blood during dental treatment. Intravenous sedation dentistry is sometimes referred to as “twilight” or “sleep” dentistry.
However, instead of falling asleep, the sedative helps you relax and feel at ease. While you will be able to answer the dentist's questions, your treatment procedure will be imprecise once the sedative wears off. If you recognize yourself in any of these problem areas, consider asking your dentist about sedation dentistry. Dental sedation can help patients perform many types of dental work, such as root canals, tooth extractions, dental implants, and more.
However, it is generally not offered for dental cleanings, x-rays, and other routine care. However, cases of extreme anxiety can be a viable reason for sedation during these procedures. Administered directly into the bloodstream, intravenous sedation affects you quickly, which can be particularly useful for those who need help to calm their fears. Although general anesthetics completely immerse you, intravenous sedatives induce what is known as “twilight sleep.” This state means that you are not really unconscious, but you are much less aware of your environment and deeply relaxed.
As a result, you will have little or no memory of the consultation afterwards. While this type doesn't make you sleepy, you may feel sleepy or fall asleep on your own. Intravenous sedation involves administering a sedative intravenously during dental procedures. IV sedation can help you feel comfortable and calm while receiving dental treatment. The dentist will monitor the level of anesthesia throughout the process and adjust it as needed.
Intravenous sedation is a flexible option because it allows for quick adjustments to the level of sedation. For example, find that your anxiety or pain levels are increasing. Your dentist can quickly increase the dose to improve your comfort. Because the medication enters the bloodstream, you'll notice the results right away. Both sedation and general anesthesia can be used for dental procedures.
Be sure to follow your dentist's instructions to make sure sedatives work properly for your practice. No statement is made about the quality of dental services to be performed or the experience of participating dentists, and that participating dentists are no more or less qualified than dentists who are not participating in the service. Intravenous lines produce moderate sedation through a vein so that the dentist can adjust the level of sedation. Dental insurance providers often have a list of procedures for which sedation is considered standard and covered by insurance. Your dentist controls the amount of sedative you receive, and this sedation option goes away faster than general anesthesia. For example, your dentist may ask you to fast and not eat or drink anything for several hours before dental treatment.
Dentists across the country use sedation dentistry to help anxious patients and complete complicated procedures. People who are paranoid about dental work have trouble focusing on their dental care because of their severe anxiety that revolves around dental work. It may surprise you, but even dental professionals sometimes feel tense to see their mouths. You can contact a dentist in your area and schedule a consultation to discuss your sedation needs. Minimal sedation occurs when the dentist uses laughing gas, which is mixed with oxygen in a mask that is placed over the nose so that the gas helps you relax.
