Do You Feel Pain with Conscious Sedation?

We are aware that taking good care of our teeth is important. Whether one has early signs of periodontal disease or is missing a tooth that needs a dental implant, seeking care gives you a healthier mouth.

But none may not look forward to visiting the dentist, especially if they need a more advanced dental procedure. Dental anxiety makes you want to push off essential dental work but avoiding a dentist can lead to more serious complications later.

With sedation dentistry, you’ll have calmer nerves and get the dental care you need. At Summit Pointe Dental, we specialize in anesthesia and sedation, which include IV sedation. Our dentists are here to help you learn more about sedation options.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients calm and relax during dental procedures. In most cases, people are normally awake during treatment, with the exception of those under general anesthesia.

When to Consider Conscious IV Sedation Dentistry

While considering conscious sedation dentistry, you must understand that this is a popular type of conscious sedation for dental work. IV sedation offers a deeper level of sedation than oral sedation or nitrous oxide.

However, it doesn’t make one fully unconscious like general anesthesia.
When one is under IV sedation, one can be awake and able to respond to verbal prompts.

But they know less about their surroundings, reducing their ability to feel pain. IV sedation is an effective option for many people nervous about having dental work performed.

Our dentists have experience using IV sedation for people undergoing procedures such as:

• Dental implants
• Tissue and gum grafting
• Accelerated osteogenic orthodontics
• Periodontal surgery

If you need an advanced dental procedure and are worried about sitting in the dental professional’s chair, it’s time you learn more about IV sedation.

Who is a Candidate for IV Conscious Sedation?

If dental anxiety makes you avoid getting the dental care you need, IV sedation can be the right option.

A family dentist near you recommends IV sedation for people who:

• Have a sensitive gag reflex
• Have a low tolerance for pain
• Avoid dental work since they have anxiety
• Experience extremely sensitive teeth
• Are you too anxious to sit still in the dental chair
• Need extensive dental work

Our dentist reviews your medical history to know if IV sedation is a safe option for you. In general, IV sedation will be good for you when you have good health.

However, IV sedation is not recommended when you’re obese, older, or have preexisting health conditions.

What to Expect with IV Sedation

We work with adults who have dental anxiety. If your dentist recommends IV sedation for you, they’ll give you certain instructions to know what to expect during your procedure.

Our dentists settle you into the dental chair and administer medication through an IV in your arm or hand. You’ll start feeling the effects quickly because the medicine enters your bloodstream directly.

You may feel drowsy or sleepy. Some patients will feel a floating sensation. Your dentist can arouse you anytime, but you may likely have significant gaps in your memory due to the sedation.

Once you receive the sedation medication, your dentist will monitor your vital signs. Then, they’ll adjust your dosage as needed during the procedure to ensure you remain relaxed and comfortable.

After the procedure, the IV is removed, and the medication effects begin wearing off. You’ll feel drowsy and need someone to drive you home. You should rest for the next 24 hours and follow your recovery instructions.

Benefits of IV Sedation

Some of the benefits include:

• Reduced Dental Anxiety

One of the top reasons IV sedation is utilized is to help patients who are anxious or exceptionally nervous about their dental treatment appointment. Unfortunately, some people avoid visiting their dental professionals because of their fears, and their teeth continue suffering.

• Limited Mobility and Relaxation

Another reason why IV sedation is chosen is that it helps you be incapable of remaining still during a procedure.

So those who can’t stay seated for a prolonged time without pain or children who can’t sit still will benefit. In addition, IV sedation allows you to sleep so your dentist can fix any dental issues safely without causing pain or trauma.