Patients who are required to undergo oral surgery may wonder if the treatment will be painful. It’s not thanks to sedation dentistry. At our Elite Oral Surgery Associates offices in Fitchburg, Lowell, and Worcester, we will be happy to administer this unique solution to dispel any physical pain and create a more relaxing and calming patient experience. If you believe you might be a good candidate for IV sedation dentistry, call us to schedule an appointment.
How IV Sedation Dentistry Works
IV sedation dentistry is a simple process that involves a member of our team using a small needle to insert a tube that is placed in the back of your hand or bend in your elbow. Immediately, the medication begins to transfer from the bag and into your bloodstream, creating a fully relaxed feeling. You’ll remain calm and comfortable throughout your visit, while members of our team monitor your vitals to ensure your safety. As soon as treatment is complete, we will remove the IV from your hand or elbow and place a small piece of gauze over the area. You will need to have someone drive you home, as it will take time for the sedative's effects to fully wear off.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?
Most individuals who experience extreme dental anxiety or need multiple procedures in one appointment are often candidates for IV sedation. However, the only way to know for sure is to schedule an appointment with a member of our team to discuss your oral and overall health history. If you have difficulty breathing and suffer from disorders such as sleep apnea, have severe sinus congestion, or are living with certain medical conditions that can compromise the success of sedation, we may not recommend you for IV sedation.
The Benefits of IV Sedation
You will find that by choosing IV sedation to help you relax throughout treatment, you will experience many great benefits, some of which include:
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The ability to undergo oral surgery and receive the oral healthcare you need
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Sedation that works quickly to ensure you are comfortable from the start
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Careful attention by our dental team who will monitor your vitals throughout the treatment
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The assurance of better comfort, as you will remain unaware of what is happening during your procedure
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No gagging, which is essential for patients who struggle with having instruments placed inside their mouth for dental care
IV Sedation Dentistry FAQs
What Does IV Sedation Feel Like?
IV sedation involves administering sedative medication through an intravenous (IV) line directly into a patient’s bloodstream, resulting in a rapid calming and deeply relaxing effect. Patients are still completely responsive to verbal and physical stimuli, though they may not remember much about their procedure. Note that even though it may cause the sensation of drowsiness, IV sedation does not put patients fully to sleep; rather, it makes them far less aware of their surroundings, including anything their dentist might be doing! The effects of IV sedation can last for several hours following treatment, and sometimes nausea is possible, but most patients begin to feel more alert and back to themselves within an hour post-procedure.
Is Sedation Dentistry Covered by Insurance?
The majority of insurance providers consider sedation dentistry to be a “luxury” expense in the same vein as cosmetic dental work, even though it’s undeniably beneficial. That said, they usually do not offer coverage for its cost. However, there might be exceptions: for example, if a patient has a certain disability, dental treatment might not even be possible without sedation. Another situation that might be covered involves exceptionally complex procedures, such as multiple tooth extractions or oral surgery. At the end of the day, though, every insurance plan is very different. If you have any questions about how to pay for your treatment or how you can possibly use your insurance coverage for assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.
Is IV Sedation Safe?
Patients can only receive sedation dentistry after getting the okay from their dentist; this is to ensure that there are no medical complications that might interfere with the treatment. That said, you can rest assured that just like other forms of sedation, IV sedation is completely safe for patients of all ages (there are some exceptions, including pregnancy, patients on certain medicines, or those with intense sleep apnea). One’s vitals (heart rate, oxygen levels, etc.) are carefully monitored throughout the entire process, and there are no serious lasting side effects. Once patients are roused, it’s recommended to have someone keep a watchful eye on them for the remainder of the day, since they’ll still be a little out of it.
Am I a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?
IV sedation is ideal for patients with severe dental anxiety that wouldn’t allow them to otherwise receive treatment. It’s also used often for patients undergoing lengthy or complex procedures, individuals with strong gag reflexes, or patients who cannot effectively receive other forms of sedation. Most interested patients end up being eligible for sedation, but it will still depend on your individual circumstances. You’ll always be carefully evaluated before being given any type of sedation, so if you’re curious to see if sedation dentistry might benefit you, your first step is speaking with your dentist.
