You’ll find various solutions offered at dentists’ offices to keep you calm during your appointment. IV (intravenous) sedation, in which a sedative is administered into the veins, is one of the most common forms of sedation, one of the most powerful and one of the most customizable. Take a closer look at IV sedation and find out how it stacks up against other routes of sedation commonly found at dentists’ offices.
A Closer Look at IV Sedation
It’s not uncommon for people with dental anxiety to have a fear of needles as well. So dentists and anesthesiologists try to make it easy on patients who are uncomfortable around needles. For example, a topical anesthetic is commonly used to numb the area where the IV needle will go in.
One of the most common sedatives used in IV sedation is propofol, a drug highly effective at slowing down thoughts and response times. At higher doses, you may experience mild to moderate amnesia until the drug wears off.
While it’ll be easier for you to wake up from IV sedation than general anesthesia, you’ll still need a driver after your procedure. You’ll still be disorientated and slightly forgetful for a short while after your procedure, as the drug’s effects wane.
A Comparison with Other Sedation Routes
Here’s how IV sedation stacks up against other common forms of sedation often available at dental offices:
Nitrous oxide gas (laughing gas): administered through a mask, this route of sedation isn’t as precise as IV sedation.
Oral sedation: administer orally, this form of sedation takes much longer to kick in than IV sedation.
Local anesthesia: used to numb sensations in a specific area of the body, this form of anesthesia works well for those concerned about pain. However, you won’t get the calming sense of wellbeing and the settling of your thought as you would with IV sedation.
Sedation Dentistry in Wichita Falls, TX
Schedule an appointment with a local dentist to find out more about your options for sedation dentistry in Wichita Falls, TX and neighboring communities.