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IV Sedation Dentistry – What to Expect on the Treatment

Faris Kirmani • Nov 29, 2020

Do you find yourself putting off a visit to the dentist even though you know you have cracked a tooth or have a cavity? Does the thought of sitting in the dentist’s chair make you feel anxious? If so, you could be suffering from dental anxiety. In this case, IV sedation could help you through the dental treatment you need. Read on to find out more about IV sedation dentistry and what to expect.

The longer you continue to ignore oral health issues, the more chance there is of them becoming worse, leading to higher anxiety levels, more invasive dental procedures, and higher costs.

What is Dental Anxiety and How Can Sedation Dentistry Help?

Unfortunately, dental anxiety and phobia are all too common in Australia. High dental fear affects 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 10 children and in middle-aged women particularly, it can be as high as 1 in 3 individuals. Dental phobia, that has slightly less impact on a person’s life affects around 5% of the Australian population.

These anxieties can be triggered by a negative experience with a dentist in the past or by associated factors such as the smell of a dental clinic and the noise of the drills.

Fortunately, at Riverlands Dental, we provide sedation dentistry to help patients like you get the treatment you need. IV sedation helps relax patients so they remain calm throughout dental procedures and receive treatment quickly and efficiently without enduring discomfort and anxieties from the past.

Who Can Benefit From Sedation Dentistry?

Anyone who is fit and healthy can benefit from IV sedation but it’s particularly helpful for patients who have the following:

Complex dental issues
Fear of dental procedures
Difficulty getting numb
Resistance to local anaesthetic
Sensitive teeth and/or oral nerves
General anxiety disorder
A small mouth that aches during dental work
Gag reflex

Is IV Sedation Safe?

Yes, IV sedation is extremely safe in knowledgeable and experienced hands. To check a patient’s eligibility, their previous medical and oral history is checked, Moreover, they will be asked whether they have any allergies and what, if any, medications are being taking.

IV Sedation Dentistry – What to Expect

Before their appointment, patients are asked to:

Take their normal medication (unless otherwise requested) with a sip of water
Avoid drinking or eating for 6 hours
Wear comfortable clothing but remove any nail polish, contact lenses, or jewellery
Brush their teeth
Refrain from smoking for 24 hours

How does IV Sedation work?

A thin needle is introduced into a vein on the back of the hand or in the arm. The needle is connected to a catheter that administers the anaesthetic directly into the bloodstream. Often a numbing cream is applied to the area where the needle will be inserted, for patients who have a fear of needles.

A patient’s oxygen levels and pulse are regularly monitored to ensure there is no negative reaction to the sedative. Your blood pressure is also checked before and after the procedure.

How does IV sedation feel?

The sedative eliminates the body’s ability to feel any pain but does not affect their bodily processes. In other words, a person can breathe, move on their own, and even respond to the dentist which makes it easier for a dentist to detect any abnormalities and respond rapidly.

Patients generally feel very relaxed, almost like they are dreaming. At Riverlands Dental we also use local anaesthesia in conjunction with sedation dentistry.

What are the benefits of IV Sedation?

The prime benefit is that dentists can perform multiple dental procedures in one go. This means that patients requiring extensive dental care don’t need as many dental visits. Not only does this lower the cost of their dental care but it also reduces fear and anxiety associated with a visit to the dentist.

Furthermore, the amnesic state of IV sedation means that most patients have little, if any, recollection of what occurred during their appointment.

Due to fewer side-effects when compared to other types of sedation such as general anaesthesia, patients feel less discomfort after the procedure.

What about after treatment – what happens then?

Patients are taken to a recovery room until they feel more alert before we deliver them back to a companion who is waiting to take them home. You’re likely to feel drowsy for the remainder of the day, so we recommend putting your feet up and taking things easy.

It can take up to 24 hours before the medication leaves your body so avoid alcohol and take any medication as instructed. You should be aware of certain side-effects such as minor bleeding, bruising, or swelling at the injection site. Some patients may experience nausea or vomiting.

We’re Here to Help

So now you know all about IV sedation dentistry and what to expect, hopefully, we can help you overcome your fear of visiti

ng the dentist and dental procedures.

Here at Riverlands Dental, besides IV sedation we also offer :

Oral conscious sedation – a pill that is taken before you come to our dental clinic or once you get here – to help you relax during treatment. It does require a friend or family member to accompany you and drive you home.
Nitrous oxide – A gas mixed with oxygen to help you relax during treatment. It provides more in the way of pain relief than anxiety relief so it a better option for some people. Recovery is quick and patients can drive themselves home. Enabling patients to benefit from the type of sedation best suited to their needs.

Why not call (02) 4501 7930 or book an appointment online with the compassionate caring dental team at Riverlands Dental?

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