Whether you’ve had bad experiences at the dentist before, you’re worried about pain, or you just feel nervous about getting complex treatment like root canal therapy, we have the dental sedation solutions you need. With IV sedation, you can enjoy a deeper level of sedation, sleep through your procedure, and get the expert care you need in Washington Court House, OH, with less stress and minimal discomfort. If IV sedation is not for you, we also provide other sedation options such as Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) and pill-based conscious sedation.
At Washington Court House Dental, we offer a full suite of dental services including tooth extractions, bone grafts, dental implants, and more. If you think that you may need one of these complex dental treatments, or you’re be worried about staying comfortable throughout your procedure, contact Dr. Pappas or one of our other expert dentists so we can put your mind at ease.
Short for “intravenous sedation,” IV sedation uses a needle to deliver a precise mixture of sedatives directly into your bloodstream. These medications are similar to those used for pill-based oral sedation, such as midolozan, propofol, ketamine, and dexmedetomidine.
The big difference between IV sedation and oral sedation is that there’s no need for these sedatives to be digested before they enter your bloodstream. With an IV needle, the sedatives enter your bloodstream and take effect almost immediately.
This means that IV sedation has more intense and more predictable effects. Compared to milder forms of sedation, you will be much more deeply sedated. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be “knocked out.”
Just like with other forms of dental sedation, you will be very sleepy and groggy, but typically you should be able to wake up easily, answer questions, and respond to commands. This is in contrast to general anesthesia, which makes you completely unconscious.
Not sure if IV sedation is worth it? At Washington Court House Dental, we typically recommend this sedation method for more complex and invasive dental surgeries. Here are a few reasons why IV sedation dentistry is such a good choice for dental implants, tooth extractions, and other complicatedprocedures:
If you’ve never been sedated at the dentist before, the process can seem a little bit complicated and confusing. What’s really involved, and how do you know if you’re a good candidate for IV sedation in Washington Court House? Here’s a quick look at the entire process, from start to finish.
First, you’ll need to consult with your dental team at Washington Court House Dental to make sure that you’re a good candidate for IV sedation. Your dentist will take a lot of things into account when deciding if it’s right for you, such as:
Together, you and your dentist can decide if IV sedation is a good choice for your unique situation. If you’re approved, you will schedule your next visit and get some instructions on what to do before your next visit.
On the day of your treatment, you’ll need to make sure you follow your dentist’s preparation instructions to the letter. You will typically need to fast (avoid eating or drinking) for at least 6-8 hours before your procedure, and you may need to take other steps depending on your situation.
After you arrive at our office, you’ll check in and head back to one of our treatment rooms. There, you’ll lie down comfortably in a dentist’s chair. After confirming the proper dosage, one of our team members will place an IV line in your arm or hand. Then, the flow of the medication will begin.
Once the sedative medication enters your system, you will begin to feel groggy and tired almost immediately. You will usually fall asleep quickly and remain “asleep” throughout your entire visit, with little to no memory of your dental treatment.
As you fall asleep, our team will keep a close eye on your vital signs and begin dental treatment as soon as you’re properly sedated. Along with sedation, we will use local numbing injections to make sure you feel absolutely no pain and discomfort during the entire process.
Wondering how long it takes to wake up from IV sedation? Most patients will start to stir and wake up within about 20 minutes of the IV being removed, but it may take longer in some cases. Your dental team will continue monitoring your vital signs and keep an eye on you during this time to make sure you’re recovering safely.
Once your procedure is finished, you’ll check out, leave our office, and go home to rest and recover. However, you may continue to feel some side effects of IV sedation even after you wake up, including:
These side effects usually persist for 2-4 hours, but you may feel a little bit “off” for up to 24 hours after your visit. Once your dental treatment is over, it’s best to go home, relax, and take it easy for the rest of the day.
Also, you cannot drive yourself home after you get IV sedation at Washington Court House Dental. You must be driven to our office and accompanied home by a trusted adult, such as a roommate, partner, family member, or close friend.
There’s a lot of confusion about what IV sedation really is, and how it’s different from general anesthesia (GA). After all, both treatments use sedative drugs delivered through an IV to “put you to sleep” during a medical procedure, so they seem quite similar at first glance.
However, IV sedation is actually quite different from general anesthesia. Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences between these two types of sedation:
Looking for IV sedation dentistry near the Washington Court House area? At our office, Dr. Pappas and our team offer safe, reputable, and reliable sedation services delivered by trained, board-certified professionals.
If you’re interested in deep IV sedation or other options like pill-based sedation or nitrous oxide (laughing gas), our team is here to help. We can help you explore all of your options for staying comfortable in the dentist’s chair.
Whether you suffer from dental anxiety or are just nervous about some upcoming dental work, give us a call at (740) 333-7290 or contact us online to book a visit and explore all of your options for sedation at Washington Court House Dental.
Call 740-333-7290 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
