Visiting the dentist’s office can be a scary experience for many patients. While some may only require a mild form of sedation, like nitrous oxide, to calm their nerves, others need a stronger solution that will help them become fully relaxed and unable to remember much from their appointment. With IV sedation, these results can be achieved, but who is considered a good candidate? Keep reading to find out what dentists look for when determining whether a person can safely receive this type of treatment.
What is IV Sedation?
IV sedation is a method of treatment that is used to help patients achieve a deeper state of relaxation when they might otherwise be too fearful to visit the dentist’s office.
Patients remain conscious throughout treatment but often fall into a light sleep – one in which they can easily be awakened. The medication administered through the IV, which is placed in the hand or bend of the elbow, enters the bloodstream and works to dull a patient’s senses so they are unphased by the care they receive.
Who Can Receive IV Sedation?
Patients who are interested in potentially receiving IV sedation must meet with their dentist first to complete a thorough consultation. This visit is designed to go over the individual’s medical history to determine if they have any allergies or are currently taking any medications that might negatively interact with the medicine delivered through the IV.
The dentist will inquire about a patient’s past dental experiences as well as issues that make receiving necessary oral healthcare more difficult if not impossible. Some of the factors a dentist will consider when recommending IV sedation include:
- Whether the person has severe or extreme dental anxiety
- Whether the individual suffers from a sensitive or strong gag reflex
- Whether the patient is preparing for multiple services to be administered in a single appointment
- Whether the individual requires more invasive treatment
What Are the Benefits of IV Sedation?
IV sedation offers patients a safe and effective way to remain calm and comfortable while undergoing essential dental care. Some of its benefits include:
- A fast-acting medication that enters the bloodstream, so patients begin to feel at ease more quickly
- A dentist who will oversee and closely monitor one’s vitals to ensure their safety
- An experience that allows nervous patients to be unable to remember much from their appointment
- A solution that makes it easier for the dentist to work more efficiently when completing necessary services
IV sedation can be one of the most effective ways to help fearful patients get the care they need. Meeting with a dentist for a scheduled consultation will ensure appropriate steps are taken to keep individuals safe while also creating a more pleasant experience on the day of their appointment.
About Grand Dental – Aurora
At Grand Dental – Aurora, our sedation dentists want to provide comfortable environments for patients to enjoy. When an individual arrives feeling fearful of the dentist’s office, we strive to minimize their nervousness by recommending sedation dentistry. While we offer many methods to choose from, IV sedation is primarily offered to those who struggle with extreme dental anxiety. If you need help to stay calm while in the treatment chair, visit our website or call (630) 538-8302 to learn how we can help.