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 Fear of the dental experience has been demonstrated to be one of the most significant barriers to the delivery of quality dental care. When the stress of the dental treatment situation is combined with dental fears, some patients find themselves unable to successfully have dental treatment done. In our practice, the most common type of anesthesia used is local anesthesia (numbing). In most cases, this is the only drug agent necessary. Most patients tolerate the local anesthesia well, and they recognize this feeling of having their lip numb for a dental procedure.
As noted above, there are many people who require a different approach for various reasons. For the patient who fears the required treatment, intravenous (I.V.) sedation offers a way to have required dental treatment done in a non-threatening manner. Other patients who benefit are those who need surgical procedures or extensive treatment to be completed in fewer appointments.
Intravenous sedation is the calming of a nervous, apprehensive individual through the use of drugs, without inducing the loss of consciousness. This highly effective technique requires the introduction of drugs directly into the vein, and it has the advantage of giving maximum control (titration) to the treating doctor as well as giving comfort to the patient.
The patient is not placed under general anesthesia, for the patient’s protective reflexes are still in place, including the ability for the patient to maintain their own airway. Appropriate monitoring equipment is used during the I.V. sedation appointment.
Before Sedation
Most dental procedures typically only require a local anesthetic, but there are certain instances and patient situations which will call for the use of sedation. We will help you determine if undergoing your dental procedure with sedation is the right option for you. Prior to any sedation appointments, we will thoroughly answer your questions and review the following instructions for you to follow:
Instructions to know before Sedation Dentistry
- A thorough medical history, including past or present illness, allergy, and medications taken must be reported.
- No food or drink may be taken within six (6) hours of the appointment time, and the previous meal should be light and easily digestible.
- No tight clothing should be worn; short sleeves are preferred.
- Arrangements must be made for the patient to be accompanied by a responsible friend or relative following the sedation.
- Take any normal medications as prescribed with a small sip of water.
- Start taking Peridex rinse (chlorhexidine) and antibiotic prescriptions two (2) days prior to surgery date, if indicated.
Before you give your permission for the administration of intravenous sedation, you should understand there are certain associated risks.
The common risks are (but not limited to):
- Drug reactions and side affects
- Bruising and/or vein inflammation at the site of administration of intravenous medications, which may require further treatment.
- Allergic reactions to medications
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