Dental phobia afflicts many patients and can seriously affect their ability to receive proper dental care. It is not uncommon for sufferers of dental phobia to postpone essential dental treatment which leads to further oral health issues.

For those who feel apprehensive about undergoing dental procedures, sedation dentistry also known as sleep dentistry, can facilitate a more comfortable treatment. IV sedation ensures patients feel calm enough to receive treatment while remaining conscious and able to follow instructions from the dentist.

IV sedation is also a useful way for dentists to treat patients who wish to complete several, complex, or lengthy dental procedures in a single appointment. If you’re curious about how sedation dentistry can help your oral health, here is a helpful guide to IV sedation and what to expect

 

What Happens During IV Sedation?

IV sedation involves a highly-trained professional giving you a sedative drug via an injection into a vein in your arm or hand. This drug puts you in a deeply relaxed state, ready for dental treatment but allows you to remain aware of your environment. 

The procedure is conducted under strict guidelines, and a qualified, experienced sedationist closely monitors your breathing and pulse throughout your dental procedure. Although IV sedation is used for lengthy dental procedures, many sedated patients claim that the treatment seemed very short, due to their comfortable state of relaxation.

 

How You Should Prepare for IV Sedation?

Learning about the steps you should take before your treatment is an essential part of understanding IV sedation and what to expect at your appointment.

preparation iv sedation dentistry what to expect glebe

Before your treatment, you have a dental consultation where your Glebe Dental Group dentist answers all your questions about sedation dentistry and the specifics of your treatment. It is crucial that you let our team know about any medications you take, allergies you have, or if you think you may be pregnant during this appointment. 

We advise you not to eat or drink for at least six hours prior to your appointment.

Advice for After your Appointment

Most patients say that following their appointment, they have little or no memory of the specifics of the procedure, including the injections. Some patients feel drowsy for a few hours after the sedation.

Although you may feel like your usual self, the effects of the sedation can take several hours to subside, and they can impact your reasoning, reflexes, coordination, and judgement until the following day.

Because of these prolonged effects, you will need to have somebody to drive you home after the appointment, and you should allow yourself 24 hours to rest and fully recover. During this time, you should avoid the following activities:

  • Driving any vehicle or riding a bike
  • Operating machinery (including household appliances)
  • Cooking
  • Drinking alcohol or taking sleeping tablets
  • Being solely responsible for children or dependants

 

Is IV Sedation Right for You?

If you require dental treatment but suffer from dental phobia, have a severe gagging reflex or would like to have several procedures performed at one time, IV sedation may be the right choice for you. 

Our experienced and friendly team at Glebe Dental Group are available to discuss the sedation procedure with you to help you decide if IV sedation is a good option for your next dental procedure.

With Glebe Dental Group, you will receive the care you need for the smile you want. Contact us on (02) 9159 6816 for more information or to book a consultation with one of our highly-skilled dentists.

 

 

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.