Complex Dental Procedures and the Need for Sedation
There are varying degrees of dental procedures, and not all of them will require IV sedation. Depending on your anxiety level and the dental procedure you need, we can discuss the best sedation method for you. At Centre Family Dentistry, we offer three different types of sedation for our patients. These include the following:
Nitrous oxide – Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is breathed in through a mask and will completely relax you during your dental visit. You will remain awake and alert.
Oral conscious sedation – We can prescribe medication for you to take before you come into our dental office so that you will be relaxed when you arrive. You will remain conscious, but you will be very calm during your appointment. You may not remember everything about your visit to our dental office.
IV sedation – If you are undergoing a complex dental procedure, such as tooth replacement, wisdom teeth removal, gum surgery, dental crowns, bridges, or dental implants, you may opt for IV sedation. Our highly trained dental anesthesia team will administer the medication directly into your bloodstream, and you will be in a dreamlike state or completely unconscious during your dental appointment.
How IV Sedation Works
There are four levels of sedation that can be used for dental procedures. They include the following:
1. Mild sedation – This type of sedation includes the use of nitrous oxide.
2. Moderate sedation – This type of sedation includes oral conscious sedation.
3. Deep sedation – This type of sedation includes IV sedation, but you are conscious.
What Is the IV Sedation Process?
When you arrive for your dental procedure, a dental team member will check your blood pressure to get a baseline before administering the IV sedation. Next, they will numb your hand or arm and place a thin needle in that area. This needle is connected to a tube that sends the sedative directly into your bloodstream.
Your dental team will continuously monitor your vital signs to ensure you are not having an adverse reaction to the medication. This includes both your pulse and oxygen levels.
After your procedure, the dental team will check your blood pressure to ensure it is within the normal range. It’s not uncommon for you to feel groggy after IV sedation, so your dentist will ask you ahead of time to have someone drive you home. It is best for you to go home and relax for the rest of the day.
Benefits of IV Sedation in Complex Dental Procedures
There are tremendous benefits to using IV sedation methods for complex dental procedures. Some of these benefits include the following:
- You will not feel anxious during your procedure.
- You won’t have any gag reflex issues.
- You will not feel any pain.
- Your dentist will be able to perform multiple procedures in the same visit. This means fewer visits to the dentist and lower costs.
- You will not remember much or any of the dental visit.
- You will likely feel fine after the sedation wears off.
The Role of the Dental Team in Administering IV Sedation
For a dental team to be certified in IV sedation, they must undergo rigorous training both in the classroom and in the clinical field. The training requirement is at least sixty hours, with thirty-five hours dedicated to didactic classwork training, while the other twenty-five hours are spent in a clinical setting. Dental teams will observe trained personnel performing complex dental procedures while learning to administer IV sedation. This real-life training enables the dental team to experience hands-on learning that they can then take back to their own dental office.
Do You Need Sedation Dentistry in Fort Collins, CO?
If you would like to talk to a professional dental team member about IV sedation or have questions about our dental services, please get in touch with our dental office. You can reach us at (970) 407-1001. At Centre Family Dentistry, your comfort is essential to us.