It’s normal to be anxious about having any kind of oral surgery performed. The question is, how can you keep such feelings under control so that you can get the care you need? One option is to have IV sedation administered during your treatment, but is this the best choice in your particular case? Here’s a brief look at how IV sedation works and what can make someone a good candidate for it.
How Does IV Sedation Work?
IV sedation involves delivering a sedative directly into your bloodstream through your arm or your hand. Once the sedative takes effect, you’ll be in a state of advanced relaxation; you’ll remain awake and capable of following instructions from your oral surgeon, but you won’t be bothered by anything going on around you.
Note that it will take time for the effects of IV sedation to fully wear off, so you’ll need to make arrangements to have someone else drive you home once your procedure is complete. On top of that, you may find that you don’t remember what happened while under the effects of IV sedation.
What Makes Someone a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?
IV sedation is often recommended for patients who have particularly high levels of dental anxiety. It’s also a good fit for anyone who is in need of particularly lengthy or complex procedures, with dental implant placement and wisdom tooth extractions being good examples. Other signs that you might be a good candidate for IV sedation include:
- Having a strong gag reflex that can potentially interfere with your ability to undergo oral surgery.
- Having a condition that makes it hard for you to sit still or keep your mouth open for extended periods.
- Having a relatively low tolerance for pain.
Who Might Not Be a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?
There are a few reasons why IV sedation could potentially not be a good fit for certain people. In general, it’s not recommended for those who are pregnant, are suffering from liver or heart problems, or are allergic to the medication involved.
It’s important to know for sure whether you can safely receive IV sedation before you make any commitments. To that end, your oral surgeon will perform a thorough review of your medical and dental history. They’ll also ask about any medications that you might be taking. Once they’ve gathered all the information they need, they can let you know whether moving forward with IV sedation is okay.
The right form of dental sedation can take away a lot of stress and anxiety when it comes to oral surgery. If you’re interested in having IV sedation performed, be sure to let your oral surgeon know about any questions or concerns you might have.
About the Author
Dr. Shinwari is a board-certified oral surgeon who received training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Boston University. He holds membership with the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology, and he’s able to offer his patients IV sedation along with other dental sedation methods. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Shinwari at Oral & Facial Surgery Center of Virginia in Dumfries, visit his website or call (703) 574-4717.