What to Do Before, During, and After Your IV Sedated Dental Procedure

We value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle dental care that you deserve from a sedation dentist.

Having IV sedation for your dental procedure can be intimidating and overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. Although IV sedation comes with relatively little risk, the things that you do before your appointment and how carefully you follow instructions is important.

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Jan R.

This dental practice is excellent with my daughter (25 y/o with autism). The entire team is kind, patient, and understanding. They take time to explain what will be happening and only recommend procedures that are truly necessary.

The staff never rushes and makes patients feel comfortable and supported. They are very in tune with sensory challenges. It’s clear they care deeply about creating a positive experience and treating everyone with dignity.

We heartily recommend Dr. Hoffmann and his team.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear your daughter feels comfortable and supported. Dr. Hoffmann and our team truly appreciate your recommendation.

Monica S.

Best decision I ever made was coming here. Highly recommend. The front office is great, Lena is awesome and docs are so good. Plus you get sweet glasses while they work 😎

Patricia J.

Dr. Thom and the entire staff at the Dental Anesthesia Center were warm, friendly and welcoming to me and my husband. My husband has dementia and needed extensive dental work. Dr. Thom took the time to explain to me what needed to be done before the procedure began. My husband is now fully recovered and doing just fine. I'm so grateful that we were referred to the Dental Anesthesia Center. Thank you!!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re honored to hear that you felt welcomed and supported by our team. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and are grateful for your trust in our office!

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Dr. Thoms and staff are Amazing!
My son is Autistic and he loves it there.
It’s always scary to put your child with disabilities under anesthesia. So it’s a relief to have such compassionate professionals to rely upon They are so sweet and kind to him it’s so nice to have people who genuinely care.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! Our team is dedicated to creating a comfortable and supportive experience for everyone who visits our office. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and for trusting us with your family’s care.

Rafe F.

The Dental Anesthesia Center (DAC) is awesome. When I started there 19 years ago my dental health had deteriorated and my fears were intense. Their expertise and compassion got me back on the right dental track. I still get nervous - but things are so much better now in terms of my dental and gum health.. Don't lose hope - try the DAC!

My appointment today was for a cleaning - and a standard check of gum health etc. Carrie - as always - did EXCELLENT work. She is very kind and thorough and knowledgeable .. and patiently answers all my questions. Carrie is positive and supportive with us patients ... and provides guidance on better at-home care for our teeth and gums.

My thanks also to the office staff who are very helpful with questions or concerns.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your continued trust and kind words! We're honored to have be part of your journey. It means so much to know we've made a lasting impact—your story is truly inspiring!

Before Your Appointment

There are specific steps that a patient needs to take before undergoing IV sedation. To make sure that things go smoothly and you aren’t doing things to increase your risk of complications, follow the directions of your dentist.

To ensure that things go well, do the following:

• Wear clothing that’s nonrestrictive but warm. The temperature of the procedure room will be a little cooler than the typical office.
• Don’t drink or eat for a minimum of 8 hours before your scheduled procedure.
• Do not smoke for at least 12 hours before your procedure.
• Do not wear contact lenses during the procedure.
• Don’t take any medications before the appointment, unless they have been cleared with your dentist.
• If any part of your medical history has changed since your consultation, make your doctor aware of it.
• Bring someone with you to the appointment who can escort you home.

What Will Happen During the Procedure?

Once you arrive at the appointment, the doctor or nurse will get the IV started in your arm. All of the IV medications will be given via IV so that they can be pushed directly into the bloodstream. There will likely be a mixture of medicines including sedatives, anti-inflammatory, and pain medicine.

Although you will be heavily sedated, your body will still show signs of discomfort if you are experiencing any, and that will signal your dentist to adjust your medications appropriately. Your reactions will determine the amount of anesthesia that is necessary.

What Happens After the Dental Procedure?

After IV sedation, it is not uncommon for you to feel very drowsy. The anesthesia will last a while after the procedure, so be prepared to have someone escort you home and monitor you until they know for sure you are fully conscious and aware.

If you can, restrain from eating food until any numbness has worn off. If you can’t feel the sides of your mouth, you can be at risk for biting injuries, that can lead to infection. After the numbness has worn off, eat foods as tolerated.

They recommend not to drive or operate heavy machinery for 24-hours post-procedure. This is to make sure that the sedation has had enough time to work its way out of your system. Also, don’t make any crucial decisions because, while you might think that you are rational, the drugs might be unwittingly affecting you.

Sedation Dentistry St. Louis

Knowing what to expect before, during, and after your procedure, will ensure that you limit the potential for risk and also that you decrease any anxiety you might be feeling about your IV sedation.

Schedule an appointment: Call (314) 862-7844. We are a state-of-the-art dental facility for patients who require general anesthesia, deep sedation, or oral sedation for their dental care.