If you are considering sedation dentistry for a dental procedure and don’t feel that oral or inhaled sedatives like nitrous oxide are adequate, then IV sedation may be the right choice. This type of sedation allows dentists to deliver the drugs directly into your bloodstream and works much faster than other forms. It also eliminates the gag effect that is sometimes experienced with other types of sedation. It is ideal for patients who suffer from intense anxiety or phobia, those with hypersensitive gag reflexes or those with extensive treatment needs that require extended sessions.
Sedation is used in dentistry to reduce the fear and anxiety associated with visiting the Hamilton Mountain Dental Group. It is a safe and effective way to help you have a more positive experience. The most advanced form of sedation used in dentistry is known as IV sedation or twilight dentistry. It is a moderate level of sedation that creates a state of insensitivity to pain and a short period of amnesia. It is often used for those with an extreme fear or phobia of visiting the dentist, those with a sensitive gag reflex or those with extensive and complex dental procedures.
When you receive sedation through an IV, the dentist can continuously adjust your level of sedation throughout your appointment. This is a significant advantage over oral sedatives that take time to kick in and can lose effectiveness when the doses are stopped. The dentist can also give you medications that will help reduce nausea and other side effects of sedation. Another benefit of IV sedation is that it is one of the safest forms of sedation.
Dentists can use a number of different drugs to administer IV sedation, including benzodiazepines, which are calming and produce drowsiness. They can also use dexmedetomidine, which is a more potent sedative and can put you to sleep. These sedatives are given in low doses and are administered continuously throughout your procedure, making it easier to communicate with the dental team. They are also cleared from the body more quickly than other sedatives, which means you won’t have any long-lasting side effects.
Other sedatives can include ketamine, which has a psychoactive effect similar to phencyclidine and can relieve pain and anxiety. Ketamine is more suitable for shorter procedures and should never be used on children. Dentists can also use propofol, a liquid drug derived from soybean oil and glycerol. This is one of the fastest sedatives to work, but it is not well suited for those with pulmonary or cardiovascular problems.
IV sedation is ideal for those with severe anxiety or phobia, those with a hypersensitive gag reflex and those with extensive and complex dental procedures that require extended sessions. It can also be useful for those who have specific developmental disabilities or medical conditions. Those who receive this sedation should arrange for someone to drive them home and avoid any activities that require alertness until the effects wear off.
Preparing for a procedure that uses IV sedation involves following the dentist’s explicit instructions. Typically, this includes wearing comfortable clothes, not eating or drinking anything for 6-8 hours before the procedure and lining up a driver to pick you up afterward. You should also bring a list of all current medications and alert the dentist of any changes.
Hamilton Mountain Dental Group
79 Rymal Rd W, Hamilton, ON L9B 1B5
Telephone: 905-388-1977
hamiltonmountaindental.ca
Email: info@hamiltonmountaindental.ca
