IV Sedation and Acute Dental Visit Anxiety

To ease anxiety, dentistry has developed sedation methods that help patients relax during dental treatment.

Did you know 50% of people admit to some form of anxiety visiting the dentist, with roughly 1 in 6 avoiding dental care altogether because of it? To ease anxiety, dentistry has developed sedation methods that help patients relax during dental treatment.

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cupcakegirl137 J.

I came here with my 18 year old daughter who has an immense fear of Doctors and Dentist , The kindness and understanding without any judgement we received from Dr.Thom was just unbelievable. The work he did on my daughter was life changing for her . I would recommend him to anyone . Just amazing, kind talented Doctor.

anissa F.

We met Dr. Shawn in Sept 2023 and in December, he removed our adult nonverbal son's wisdom teeth. Not gonna hold you, general anesthesia is billed incrementally (by the minute/quarter-hour) and is a heavy financial investment. I love this clinic because it really is a safe space for special needs families. There's a huge calm that accompanies knowing your dependent person is getting healthy. Dr. Shawn is exceptional. We drove 6 hours to get here so we'll choose a local practice for routine sedation cleanings down the road. I hope to see more neurodivergent acceptance built locally in our state's dentistry like this team has here. Meanwhile we are so grateful for this practice and grateful our son was in Dr. Shawn's care.

Joanie M.

Dr. Thoms and Robin are excellent in their care, concern, and support. Dr. Thoms explains everything and takes his time. If I have questions or concerns, he is easy to talk to and listens well.Robin is right there by my side throughout procedures. Her technical skills and professionalism are impressive. She is terrific!

Susan S.

Individualized care, expertise in general anesthesia, and attention to detail are why we keep returning for our son.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and continued trust in our team! We’re grateful to be part of your family’s care and truly appreciate your confidence in us.

Leslie L.

Omg!! This place is Amazing! The people who work here are so very nice and understanding. I love this team

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate your support and are grateful to have such wonderful patients.

Types of Sedation Dentistry

Many can achieve relaxation with an oral sedative taken about an hour before a visit. , some with acute anxiety may need deeper sedation through an intravenous (IV) injection of medication. Unlike general anesthesia, which achieves complete unconsciousness to block pain, IV sedation reduces consciousness to a controllable level. Patients aren’t so much “asleep” as in a “semi-awake” state that’s safe and effective for reducing anxiety.

While there are various IV medications, the most popular for dental offices are the benzodiazepines, most often Midazolam (Versed). Benzodiazepines act quickly and wear off faster than similar drugs and have a good amnesic effect (you won’t recall details while under its influence). While relatively safe, they shouldn’t be used with individuals with poor liver function because of their adverse interaction with liver enzymes.

Other drugs or substances are often used in conjunction with IV sedation. Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) may be introduced initially to help with anxiety over the IV needle stick. Sometimes, pain-reducing drugs like Fentanyl may be added to the IV solution to boost the sedative effect and reduce the primary drug’s amount.

If we recommend IV sedation for your dental treatment, there are some things you should do to help the procedure go smoothly and safely. Because the after-effects of sedation may impair your driving ability, be sure you have someone with you to take you home. Don’t eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your appointment, and consult with both your physician and dentist about taking any prescription medication beforehand. Wear loose, comfortable clothing, and don’t wear contact lenses or oral appliances like dentures or retainers, watches, or other jewelry.

The Dental Anesthesia Center

Our top priority is safety. We follow strict standards and protocols regarding IV sedation, and you’ll be carefully monitored before, during, and after your procedure. Performed with the utmost care, IV sedation could make your next dental procedure pleasant and uneventful and improve your oral health.