At Hamptons Dental, our number one goal is to keep each of our patients safe and comfortable. Therefore we are happy to offer IV sedation services for complicated procedures so that everyone can feel at ease.
If you are prone to anxiety or being uncomfortable when visiting the dentist, then you should consider IV sedation dentistry.
What is IV Sedation?
IV stands for intravenous, which basically means that the sedative is injected directly into the bloodstream through a vein. The most common placements for these injections include either an arm or the back of a hand. It is an effective and safe measure that will help you to feel calm during your dental procedure.
When is IV Sedation Used?
IV sedation is useful for treatments that are more complex than your routine checkup. These types of procedures usually include:
- Removal of wisdom teeth
- Installing implants
- Oral surgery
IV sedation is beneficial for mitigating anxiety during these intense procedures.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth extraction is a common procedure that a high percentage of adults must complete in their lifetime. Many people’s mouths do not have room for this third set of molars requiring their removal. This procedure requires anaesthesia because the dentist must cut into the bone to expose the tooth to be removed.
If you have any questions about whether IV sedation is the right choice for your wisdom tooth extraction, feel free to ask us.
Implants
Dental implants consist of titanium posts that mimic the organic root of the tooth. The titanium post must be embedded in the bone beneath the gum with a procedure requiring anaesthesia. This new artificial root will serve as the base for a replacement tooth. If you have lost teeth, then you may be the perfect candidate for implants.
Here at Hamptons Dental, we will be happy to walk you through the process to determine if implants are right for you and if IV sedation will help in the installation process.
Oral Surgery
Other procedures may call for IV sedation depending on their complexity, length, or factors individually relating to the patient. A root canal is one such procedure that does not always call for IV sedation. Still, it may be necessary if the patient is particularly anxious.
We will be more than happy to discuss the pros and cons of using IV sedation for the oral surgery you need.
Benefits of IV Sedation Near You
IV sedation allows patients to feel comfortable and relaxed. However, this form of sedation enables patients to respond to the dentist. It helps patients block out the unsettling noises that are often necessary for these types of procedures, such as drills. IV sedation is more potent than local anaesthesia, and therefore helps many people have a more pleasant experience.
Risks of IV Sedation
While IV sedation is an extremely safe treatment option. Just like any other medical procedure, it is not without its risks. As a patient, you have a right to know about the negative possibilities that may arise from using this type of substance.
The main things you will experience as a result of being under IV sedation include:
- Partial memory loss
- Total memory loss
- Grogginess
It is important to note that you cannot be sedated if you are pregnant.
Generally, patients will recover from the significant effects of IV sedation in under an hour. However, some lingering effects can remain for the next twelve hours. Patients undergoing IV sedation should not drive themselves home from the procedure.
Patients should also refrain from making important financial or legal decisions, caring for others, or drinking alcohol until they completely recover. All of these actions pose huge risks for the person under operation, as well as those around them.
Learn More
Using IV sedation is a choice that you should be fully-informed about before your surgery or procedure. If you’d like to learn more, we encourage you to give us a call and ask us any questions you may have. We will make sure that you fully understand this process before choosing to go through with it, as well as offer other options available at our dentistry.
Choose Hamptons
Whether you need to have a root canal performed or a wisdom tooth removed, our dentists at Hamptons Dental want to ensure that you have a pleasant and comfortable experience. We will be happy to discuss IV sedation with you if you think this is the right choice.
With over 20 years of experience, we will help you come to the best conclusion so that your treatment goes as smoothly as possible. We want you to experience the most minimal amount of stress. Contact us today to start a discussion.