Why IV Sedation May Be Right for You

There are many forms of sedation used in dental treatment, for a variety of reasons. You may be familiar with methods such as nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, or oral sedatives. Today, however, we’re discussing the use of IV sedation in dentistry and why it might be the right option for you depending on factors such as the type of dental treatment you will receive or your anxiety level. When administered by a properly trained dentist or anesthesiologist, IV sedation is very safe and effective.

So, how does IV sedation work, what are the benefits and is it the right choice for you? Keep reading to find out!

How Does Intravenous Sedation Work?

IV sedation, short for intravenous sedation, provides a higher level of sedation compared to oral sedatives or nitrous oxide that provides a deep feeling of relaxation. As the name implies, IV sedation is administered intravenously, meaning through a vein. The anesthesiologist or dentist will insert a small needle either into the inside of an elbow or into the back of one of your hands. For those not fond of needles, even the tiniest ones, your dentist or anesthesiologist can apply a numbing agent on the skin before administering the IV.

The next big question you likely have is how will you feel under IV sedation during your dental treatment. Typically, IV sedation makes most dental patients feel very relaxed, almost to the point of fully falling asleep, although some patients may drift off into sleep if they are not required to be more conscious during treatment. Your dentist or anesthesiologist will choose the appropriate amount of sedation to provide depending on the needs of your dental procedure, as you may still need to perform basic commands and give simple responses to your dentist. Your dentist will also be able to monitor the level of sedation you are receiving throughout the procedure and make appropriate adjustments as needed.

After your treatment, you will still feel drowsy for some time while the sedation medication wears off. Because of this lingering drowsiness, an adult with a vehicle and a valid driver license will be required to accompany you during the entirety of your appointment and to drive you home afterward.

Benefits of IV Sedation for Dental Treatment

You now know there are different levels and methods of sedation in dentistry, but what does IV sedation offer that some others don’t?

Here are just some benefits of IV sedation for dental treatment:

For patients with dental anxiety, IV sedation gives a deep feeling of relaxation both physically and mentally during the procedure.
The medication used in the sedation allows for full or partial loss of memory during the procedure, similar to as if the dental patient were fully unconscious during the procedure.
Patients under IV sedation retain some control over their responses if they are under a lighter amount of sedation, and are able to breathe on their own
For patients with circulatory complications, IV sedation provides stabilization of their hemodynamic condition during the procedure.
Recovery time from IV sedation is relatively quick and safe after the treatment is finished.
After a procedure with intravenous sedation, patients have a significantly reduced risk of experiencing nausea, vomiting, urinary complications including urinary retention, and a rare but serious condition known as malicious hyperthermia.
Lighter levels of sedation allow patients the ability to speak, while higher levels can help patients enter a deep sleep.
Most dental patients qualify for receiving IV sedation if needed or desired, and it is especially safe for patients requiring minor oral surgery.

Is It the Right Choice for You?

Not every dental patient and not every dental treatment will require the use of IV sedation. So how do you know if IV sedation dentistry is the right choice for you? The two primary reasons your dentist might suggest IV sedation are for patients with dental anxiety or for longer and more in-depth dental procedures, including oral surgery, teeth extractions or root canal treatment.

Your dentist will discuss your sedation options with you prior to scheduling any dental treatments. Current health conditions or medications you may be taking can affect your eligibility for different types of sedation, including IV sedation, so be sure to inform your dentist.

To learn more about the different levels of IV sedation and how IV sedation is used in wisdom teeth removal, you can read our previous blog post, “What to Expect with IV Sedation.”

IV Sedation Dentistry for Bucktown and Logan Square Patients

NK Family Dental offers a variety of sedation options, including IV sedation, for dental patients in the Bucktown, Logan Square, Wicker Park and Humboldt Park areas of Chicago. Our highly educated and trained dentists on our staff are able to safely administer IV sedation for patients with dental anxiety or who receive one of our best-in-Chicago dental treatments such as root canal treatment or wisdom teeth removal.

Compassionate and high-quality care for our patients is our commitment. For your Bucktown or Logan Square dentist needs, we hope to see you soon at NK Family Dental.

Schedule your next appointment with us today!

What to Expect with IV Sedation

Whether you’re not particularly fond of needles or the dentist, both can be necessary for receiving proper dental care for the sake of your oral health and overall health. Fortunately, dentists are trained to provide many solutions to help manage pain and ease anxiety in patients who require more extensive dental treatment. One of these solutions is IV (intravenous) sedation. IV sedation can be used for a number of dental procedures, such as oral surgery and wisdom teeth removal. While you will need to consult with your dentist about whether you are a candidate for IV sedation, we will help you understand the basics - including what IV sedation is, the levels of IV sedation and how IV sedation works with wisdom teeth removal.

What Is IV Sedation in Dentistry?

IV sedation - also known as conscious sedation - is a middle-of-the-road type of sedation that makes you less aware of the procedure without making you completely unconscious, as does general anesthesia. The Australasian Medical Journal (AMJ) notes that IV sedation is generally used for patients with high levels of dental anxiety. A trained dentist can administer this form of sedation quickly with the ability to effectively adjust the dosage as needed. However, it’s important to ensure that your dentist is trained in IV sedation before any procedure, as not every dentist office will be able to provide this option.

As the name implies, IV sedation is administered intravenously, which means through a vein. During your dental procedure with IV sedation, you may be conscious enough to perform basic commands and give simple responses to your dentist. You can expect to be able to still breathe on your own with IV sedation, and your heart rate won’t need to be monitored during the procedure.

Levels of IV Sedation

In combination with the sedation, you might also be intravenously given an analgesic - a medication for pain relief, or analgesia. Using IV sedation with an analgesic may be the case for more intensive oral procedures, such as wisdom teeth removal. The patient may experience drowsiness from analgesia, but will not be completely unconscious even with stronger IV sedation. It’s important to remember that an analgesic is not always used in combination with sedation, so you will need to discuss the details of your procedure and sedation with your dentist beforehand.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists lists multiple levels of IV sedation that a patient may receive depending on their level of anxiety and the nature of the dental procedure. The primary levels include:

Minimal sedation— Minimal sedation keeps you awake but relaxed. You will be more alert and able to both understand your dentist and follow his or her directions during the procedure.
Moderate sedation - With moderate sedation, you may feel drowsy and possibly fall asleep. It’s possible you may only remember parts of the procedure or none at all.
Deep sedation - While you won’t be fully unconscious, you will be likely to sleep through most of the procedure with deep sedation and have very little if any memory of the procedure.

In addition to the type of dental procedure you will be receiving, your age, medical history and level of anxiety will also affect the level of IV sedation your dentist will use - if he or she chooses to use IV sedation at all. You may be a better candidate for a different sedation method, such as inhaled or oral sedation.

IV Sedation and Wisdom Teeth Removal

Because wisdom teeth removal is a more involved type of oral surgery, deep IV sedation is the most common type used. While general anesthesia puts patients into a total unconscious state, it comes at higher risk and needs to be administered by a licensed anesthesiologist, and the facility must have hospital-grade monitoring equipment. Again, not every dental office can offer general anesthesia, and this type of sedation is appropriate for only certain cases - such as patients with autism.

IV sedation works as a form of local sedation to make patients more relaxed and less aware of stressors during the procedure. As previously discussed, IV sedation can be combined with an analgesic. Administering both sedation and an analgesic intravenously can be very effective for making a patient relaxed and less aware during an intense procedure like wisdom teeth removal.

Average recovery time after IV sedation is relatively quick. Most people “come to” almost immediately after removal of the IV line, but will remain groggy for several hours after. For this reason, your dentist will tell you to have someone drive you to and from the appointment, and if possible stay with you until the sedative wears off. You should not prepare food or perform household chores that day, as your reflexes and judgement will be affected. You may also be told to not make major purchases or sign legal documents. If you’re employed, you’ll need to take the day off.

Overall, IV sedation is a relatively safe way for dentists to help patients relax during wisdom teeth removal or other oral surgery. Like all medical treatments, however, you will need to consult with your doctor and your dentist before choosing the right form of sedation and medical treatment, depending on any underlying medical conditions you may have.

As a patient, you have a right to ask and check for the following points with your dentist regarding IV sedation before wisdom teeth removal or any procedure:

If your dentist is trained and qualified to administer IV sedation or any other sedation.
Your medical history and any medications you are currently taking.
Any and all questions you have about sedation and your dental procedure.
If you have received and carefully read through a form detailing the risks of the sedation and the procedure.
If the dentist has oxygen ready in the case of needing to reverse the sedation, and if your dentist will be monitoring your vital signs during the procedure.
If your dentist is following all American Dental Association guidelines on dental care, procedures, and sedation methods.

To learn more about wisdom teeth removal, see our blog post, “Is It Really Necessary to Remove Wisdom Teeth?”

Qualified and Compassionate Dental Care in Chicago

If you’re in need of a complex dental procedure such as oral surgery or wisdom teeth removal, NK Family Dental is here for you with quality, compassionate care in Bucktown and Logan Square, Chicago. Our dentist, Dr. Nilofer Khan, and our periodontist, Dr. Waeil Elmisalati, have both completed extensive education and training in order to provide the highest level of care to all patients. Learn more about Dr. Khan and Dr. Elmisalati’s qualifications and passion for dentistry, as well as about our dental services - and contact us today with questions or to schedule your next dental appointment!