What Is IV Dental Sedation?

You need to visit your dentist at least once every six months to ensure your oral health is in good order. However, many people skip their dental appointments due to their fear of dental procedures.

Dental anxiety is real and remains one of the main reasons people delay their routine dental checkups. In this article, our team at Stone Dental Group – SE Chicago Dentistry in Chicago, Illinois, shares how IV sedation can help you manage your dental fear.

IV Dental Sedation 

Intravenous (IV) sedation is a procedure that involves administering an anti-anxiety drug before a dental treatment to help you relax and stay calm throughout the procedure. 

The sedation will make you oblivious to your surroundings and relieve any anxiety that may arise during the procedure while also ensuring you feel no pain.

Process

IV sedation is usually recommended for patients with dental anxiety or the ones who require multiple complex dental procedures. The dentist will provide details and instructions regarding IV sedation before your appointment.

With IV sedation, the medication is administered through a thin needle directly into your vein. Unlike other sedatives, the effect is almost instant. 

You have nothing to worry about as regards IV sedation as the dentist will make sure to check your pulse, oxygen, and blood pressure levels before and after the dental procedure. For older patients or those with a complex medical history, the dentist will analyze medical records or even ask you to consult with your physician before making the decision to proceed.

Benefits

• If you have a sensitive gag reflex, IV sedation can make dental procedures easier for you
• As the sedative is injected into your bloodstream, you’ll experience the effects quite quickly 
• IV sedation will also ensure you feel no pain during the dental procedure
• Your normal body functioning is not at all affected while you are under sedation
• With IV sedation, you can undergo multiple dental procedures in one sitting 
• You won’t be able to recollect the procedure once the sedative wears off. 

After the procedure, it is natural to feel slightly numb. So, make sure to take a family member or a friend with you when going in for a dental procedure that involves IV sedation.

For more information on IV dental sedation, call Stone Dental Group – SE Chicago Dentistry at (773) 880-5080 or visit us at 2845 N Sheridan Rd #914, Chicago, IL 60657.