Are you considering avoiding the anxiety of an upcoming dental procedure by opting for lV sedation? The word sedation can intimidate some people, especially those new to the concept. This is a reasonable concern for anything that you have never experienced. However, IV sedation holds many benefits for dental patients. That may be why patients every year choose this option over local anesthesia. At McOmber dental, Dr. McOmber and Dr. Gluck are focused on providing patients with the most comfortable experience. That’s why they’ve made IV sedation a priority in their practice.
Read on to find out about this safe option that allows you to avoid any unpleasantness of dental procedures and fast forward to enjoying your new smile.
What is IV sedation?
IV sedation is safe; you won’t feel any pain, and you won’t remember any of the procedure. At McOmber Dental, our anesthesiologist will control how deep your IV sedation is to ensure a safe level of anesthesia. IV sedation is administered intravenously. Thus, the drug’s effect works quickly, allowing us to also work quickly to complete the procedure.
Benefits of IV Sedation
Many people avoid the dentist out of anxiety related to procedures being done in their mouth and the fear of needles injected into their mouths. As we discover the greater health benefits that are linked to proper dental care, it’s more important than ever that we don’t let fear get in the way of our care. Tooth decay and gingivitis are now linked to life-threatening conditions like heart and lung disease, diabetes, stroke, and mental health conditions. IV sedation allows patients to remain peacefully unaware of any procedures that are going on, making treatment of even complex dental issues a breeze for patients.
IV Sedation Is More Comfortable Than Local Anesthesia
Getting IV sedation is undoubtedly more effective than traditional local anesthesia. But you will also be happy to know that it is less painful than conventional local anesthesia methods. One standard type of anesthesia that dentists use is numbing the area of the mouth with novocaine.
Local anesthesia involves injecting a numbing agent into the mouth in the area of dental treatment. Needle phobias are a common concern and prevent anxious patients form getting the dental care they need. With IV sedation, the need to numbing is reduced because the patient is deeply sedated. If injections are needed, the patient has no recollection of them since they are sleeping through the procedure.
Have you been curious about sedation dentistry, but unsure if it’s right for you? Let’s face it. Tooth pain hurts. This pain can be unbearable, whether it is a tingling sensation caused by hot and cold food or beverages or a pulsing pain shooting through your gums.
Comfortable, Relaxing Dental Care Does Exist
Despite how uncomfortable and all-consuming tooth pain can be, many adults still put off dental care and resolving their dental problems. The reasons are often fear of further pain or procrastination because they believe the experience will be uncomfortable. Fixing the problem, they worry, will be more excruciating than enduring the pain they already experience.
According to the American Dental Association, 22 percent of people don’t visit the dentist because they are afraid. People’s fear may be due to bad past experiences at dental offices. It could also be because of horror stories friends or family recount of having had bad experiences at the dentist in the past.
Dr. McOmber and Dr. Gluck understand the anxieties people have. That’s why they offer options to prioritize patient comfort. One such option is IV sedation.
What Is IV Sedation?
Many people may fear the dentist because of their experience with novocaine injections. Dentists have used this method for many years to numb a particular area of the mouth. Novocaine is typically administered using a needle. While the effect of novocaine works quickly, one drawback is it can hurt when the needle is pressed into the gums. Also, patients may worry that it could potentially wear off during the dental procedure, causing them to need more novocaine and another injection in the mouth.
Unlike novocaine, IV sedation is administered directly into the veins. McOmber Dental has an in-office anesthesiologist, Dr Nguyen, present for all IV sedations. Dr Nguyen’s only responsibility is to monitor the patient, ensuring optimal safety. With over 15 years of experience in IV sedation exclusively for dental patients, Dr Nguyen pays close attention to the airway while dental work is being done in the mouth.
Are You Awake During IV Sedation?
You’ll see IV sedation sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry” for a reason. Under IV sedation you are completely asleep during the procedure, and have no pain or awareness of the procedure. This is similar to the level of sedation that you would receive if you were undergoing an outpatient surgical procedure at surgical center or hospital. As an anesthesiologist, Dr. Nguyen offers deeper levels of IV sedation than a dentist office typically offers.
Why Choose IV Sedation?
Patients who do not like the numbing procedure of novocaine or are anxious about dental procedures can choose to skip all of those steps and wake up with all of their dental work completed. It’s a good option when extensive dental work is needed, where patients may get restless during lengthy procedures. IV sedation allows the patient to relax so the dentists can do their best work. Some procedures where IV sedation is commonly used include:
- Wisdom tooth extraction
- Dental implants
- Reconstructive procedures
- Cosmetic dental procedures
- To restore dental health when a patient has avoided dental care for many years
Since the sedative goes directly into the bloodstream, it works much quicker than oral sedatives or inhaled sedatives like nitrous oxide. IV sedation also eliminates the gag effect that may be more common in some patients than others. This sedation not only allows for patients to be comfortable but also allows dental professionals to work quickly and effectively to complete procedures.
In a short time, patients will recover and return to their daily routines. The only drawback is that someone must accompany you during this procedure and drive you home. This is because, although you will wake up in approximately 20 minutes, you may feel drowsy for up to six hours, so you should not drive or operate machinery during that time frame.
If you need a dental procedure performed that requires IV sedation, keep in mind that it is a safe, comfortable and popular option. Dr. McOmber and Dr. Gluck will be happy to discuss the details of this type of anesthesia and other options to help you decide which is best for you. Call today to schedule a consultation at McOmber Dental and learn more about IV sedation in their Monmouth County, NJ office.