IV Sedation Dentistry for Independence, Blue Springs & Lee’s Summit MO

If you experience fear or anxiety at the thought of visiting the dentist, you’re not alone. Around nine to fifteen percent of the American population have a fear of going to the dentist, with approximately thirty to forty million Americans routinely avoiding their dental appointments due to overbearing feelings of anxiety. But experiencing these emotions and reactions to dental treatments shouldn’t mean that you have to suffer with the consequences of poor dental health, dental pain, gum disease, tooth decay and even tooth loss. The medical profession has strived to find a way to make dentistry more accessible to those who actively seek to avoid it. One option that can help you into one of our dentist’s chairs is Sedation Dentistry.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry involves carrying out the exact same procedures any other dentistry patient would undergo, with one slight change to the procedure. You will be sedated during the experience. This will help to calm your nerves, eradicate feelings of anxiety and allow you to have your routine checks and any necessary dental procedures completed without having to experience the stress, anxiety and fear that may have been putting you off scheduling an appointment in the past. When it comes to Sedation Dentistry, there are four different levels of sedation. There will definitely be one that suits your needs and requirements. The four most commonly used levels are minimal sedation, moderate sedation, deep sedation and general anaesthesia.

Minimal sedation - minimal sedation will see you awake but you will feel much more relaxed.
Moderate sedation - moderate sedation, sometimes referred to as “conscious sedation” will mean that you do not remember much of the procedure. You may slur your words when speaking following the treatment.
Deep sedation - during deep sedation you are on the edge of consciousness. Technically, you will be conscious and can be awakened, but you won’t remember much of the treatment.
General anaesthetic - you are probably already familiar with general anaesthetic. When you are given general anaesthetic, you will be completely unconscious.

IV Sedation

There are various different ways that your dentist can administer sedation to you and the best for you will depend on the level of sedation that you require, as well as personal preference in regards to methods of administration. Some of the most common methods used are inhaled sedation and oral sedation. However, for some patients, IV sedation may prove to create a better experience all round. IV Sedation, otherwise referred to as “intravenous sedation” will be administered via your veins.

Is IV Sedation Safe?

We pride ourselves on taking care of our patients and our team would never recommend or carry out any procedure that isn’t safe. Before agreeing to carry out IV Sedation, your dentist will ask you to provide a medical history. This will allow them to determine whether Sedation Dentistry is appropriate for you and which method and level of sedation will best suit your needs and preferences.

Preparing for Your Appointment

When your dentist books you in for an appointment with IV Sedation, they’ll be able to provide you with any advice you may need, including steps to follow in the lead up to your treatment. Generally speaking, you should continue to take any of your usual medication at their usual times in the lead up to the treatment. Your dentist will give you specific instructions to follow if you have any medication you need to avoid taking. You shouldn’t drink alcohol or use any recreational drugs for 48 hours prior to your treatment. You should also alert your dentist if you are pregnant, as IV sedation isn’t generally suitable for pregnant women. If you are breastfeeding, please be aware that you won’t be able to breastfeed for around 12 hours after your IV Sedation. You also need to make sure that you make arrangements for an able-bodied adult to take responsibility for you and look after you following your treatment. They need to be able to accompany you to your appointment, stay in the waiting area while you are having your procedure carried out and be able to take you home following your appointment. In some cases, this individual may also need to stay with you overnight to ensure your full safety.

What to Expect During Your Treatment

Upon arrival at your appointment, you will be taken through to your dental treatment room, where they will ask you to take a seat in your dentist’s chair. Your blood pressure will be taken to ensure that you are fit and well for your sedation. The dentist will then insert an extremely thin plastic tube into a vein in either the back of your hand or in one of your arms. They will then inject a sedative through this tube. The length of time that you will be sedated for will depend on the dosage given to you by your dentist. They will calculate the correct dosage to ensure that you are sedated throughout the entire duration of your procedure. Throughout your treatment, your pulse and oxygen levels will be monitored to ensure that you are well.

What Does Sedation Feel Like?

Experiences of IV Sedation will vary from one patient to another, but generally speaking, most patients report a few minutes of feeling giddy, or experiencing a feeling of euphoria, followed by drowsiness, fogginess, sleepiness and time appearing to pass really quickly.

Following Your Treatment

Your sedation will not immediately wear off following your procedure. Instead, you may continue to feel mild effects for the following 24 hours. Consequently, it’s important that you follow the advice below to ensure your own safety and others’ safety.

Do not drive a vehicle or motorcycle for 24 hours following your treatment
Do not operate machinery or electrical items of any kind
Do not drink alcohol
Do not take any sedative drugs
Do not take on responsibility for other people, including children
Do not return to work immediately
Do not make important decisions or sign important documents
Do not climb heights
Avoid using the internet to express views while under the influence of oral sedation

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