As a dental practice who marks oral surgery as one of their cornerstone offers, we here at Arch Dental take the topic of what you should know about IV sedation for oral sedation seriously. Today, we will be outlining some of your most frequently-asked questions surrounding IV sedation for oral surgery.
“What Makes IV Sedation Arch Dental’s Choice for Oral Surgery?”
We here at Arch Dental prefer to provide our patients with IV sedation due to its fast-acting nature and ability to tweak the level of sedation required for customer comfort. Our office is both equipped and staffed to provide all levels of sedation, whether that be to provide deep relaxation or even lull patients to sleep (when the nature of the surgery permits.)
The additional benefits of IV sedation over other kinds of sedation often used in oral surgery are as follows:
- Its effectiveness at helping patients undergo a deeper state of relaxation that other sedation methods provide
- Its high level of control: versus oral sedation, which dentists have little control over in terms of the length of time it is effective for, IV sedation provides 100% control for both extent and duration
- Its capacity to help even the most anxious of patients get necessary oral surgery
“Who is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation? Which Oral Surgeries is IV Sedation Most Commonly Used For?”
While any patient over the age of 14 is eligible to have conscious sedation (with those under 14 able to receive dental care with full general anesthesia instead), the following factors elevates a patient’s candidacy for IV sedation for oral surgery:
- Patients with high blood pressure, due to sedation lowering one’s blood pressure and, in turn, making dental care safer
- Young patients, to assist in relaxing their nerves and helping them sit still for longer during their procedure
- Patients with a strong gag flex, due to sedation relaxing said reflex
- Patients who wish to condense their procedures into one appointment
- Patients with small mouths, due to sedation relaxing the jaw muscles during oral surgery
- Anxious or learning-impaired patients, due to sedation relaxing nerves and aiding in cooperation
- Patients who do not like the feeling of numbness that local anaesthetics provide
At Arch Dental, IV sedation is most commonly offered when conducting dental implant procedures, crown and bridge procedures, and wisdom teeth removal procedures.
“What Can I Expect Before and After IV Sedation?”
Prior to your visit, you may receive a prescription for sedative medicine to begin your relaxation process. Upon checking in to Arch Dental, you will be admitted by our nurse who will take your vital signs ahead of administering your sedation and beginning your oral surgery. A full pre-op document will be provided to you ahead of your appointment to ensure that you know our practice’s regulations and recommendations surrounding your pre-op and post-op behaviour.
After your appointment:
- Have a responsible adult accompany you home and complete the filling of your prescription medication, if required
- Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or make serious decisions within the following 12 hours
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours
- Opt for soft, chewable foods when taking prescribed antibiotics
- Call Arch Dental if any excessive swelling or pain is experienced
The Arch Dental Difference
Here at Arch Dental, we use only state-of-the-art monitoring equipment to provide you with safe, reliable, and effective sedation options. In fact, our very own Dr. Rubinoff has been providing thousands of patients with sedation dentistry since 1991.
Contact our team today to book your next appointment at one of our two convenient locations here in Toronto!
