What Are the Benefits of IV Sedation? Are There Risks?

If you are considering IV sedation for your dental treatment, talk to your doctor about it. Being informed will help you feel more relaxed.

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Sedation dentistry can help children, those with anxiety and special needs to receive dental treatment. If you qualify for sedation dentistry, you are most probably wondering what options you have and what are the associated risks and benefits for each.

One option is IV Sedation.

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steven D.

Very nice very convenient for me great people working

Curtis V.

The staff is always compassionate and explain all the steps of the procedure. This office has been a God send for me because otherwise I would have let my teeth fall into further disrepair. I highly recommend this office!!!!!

Cindy R.

Searching for a new dental clinic is challenging for someone who has dental anxiety, fear, and traumatic experiences in a dental chair. The staff and doctors at the Dental Anesthesia Center were immediately very welcoming. Dr. Thoms put together a very detailed plan to repair and replace the previous work that I had in the past that was now causing problems. Putting my faith in him was the best thing that I could have done for my situation. I am more than completely satisfied with all of the extensive dental work that I’ve had with Dr.Thoms. I had my fourth sleep dentistry experience yesterday and I’m very happy with my results. I highly recommend this practice and truly want to give them more than five stars! Thank you for giving me back my health and confidence. I adding to this post because of my visit today with the best dental hygienist Delaina and my exam with Dr. Biehl. I have truly never been to such a caring and supportive dental group. Everyone is always conscientious of my needs and knows that I have issues with anxiety. I am always calm when I am sitting in the chair because of their kindness. I am so pleased with the Dental anesthesia center. There needs to be more than five stars. Thank you, everyone.

Response from the owner:We know it isn’t always easy to find a dental office where you feel at ease, so your words mean the world to us. We’re so glad you feel comfortable with our team and truly appreciate your trust and recommendation!

Patricia R.

I am unusually tense about my appointments. However, from the moment I checked in I relaxed. The staff was welcoming and assuring, and helped me to relax completely. Dr. Hofmann is superb. He is by far the best dentist and dental surgeon I have ever ever experienced.

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Arijeta R.

I cannot thank this clinic enough for their amazing care. They completely accommodated my individual needs by letting him wait in the hallway where he had more room for his feet and space to pace. Instead of forcing him into a tiny exam room, the dentist came out to the hallway to check his mouth. It made the entire visit so much easier for him. Fantastic service!

Response from the owner:Thanks so much for your kind words! We're grateful for the opportunity to provide compassionate, individualized care and appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Wishing you all the best!

What Is IV Sedation?

Intravenous (IV) sedation is the administration of sedatives directly in the blood flow, through an IV. Sedatives are carefully dosed to keep the patient calm and still, while closely monitoring their vital signs and state of consciousness.

As a rule, a good St. Louis sedation dentist will choose the sedation method or dose that would require the least amount of medication for the desired effect. In other words, over-sedating or under-sedating should be avoided. From this point of view, IV sedation has a clear advantage over oral sedation (swallowing a pill), as we will show further on.

Benefits of IV Sedation

The dose can be adjusted along the way: the amount of anesthetic can be adjusted during the procedure and corrected if it’s too little or too much. This eliminates the problems that usually appear with oral sedation when the patient may need a different dosage and there is no window of time for them to take more or wait for the effect to wear off.

It takes effect quickly, reducing the total time spent in the cabinet, which can be stressful for many patients before the sedation works its magic.

Besides the benefits above, which are characteristic of this sedation method, IV sedation also shares common benefits with any type of sedation: it keeps the patient relaxed, safe and helps him get the much needed medical treatment.

Risks of IV Sedation

As with any sedation method, associated risks should be known and explained to you by your St. Louis sedation dentist. Studies show that the incidence of complications from IV sedation is very low, and the most common ones are manageable without extended medical care (like a trip to the ER).

Some patients are more prone than others to get complications, and there are certain groups of patients who should be sedated with caution. These include small children, the elderly, obese patients, those with respiratory problems or certain allergies.

Possible complications from IV sedation should be discussed with your doctor and sedation dentist. As said before, studies have shown a very low prevalence of such secondary effects, and most often doctors are able to handle these events on the spot.

Are You Interested in Dental Sedation?

If you are considering IV sedation for your dental treatment, talk to your doctor about it. Being informed will help you feel more relaxed.