If you’ve heard of IV sedation, you likely already know it’s effective. This procedure is famous for making patients extremely calm, relaxed, and euphoric. Instead, you may have a different question: Who’s a good candidate for IV sedation? That concern is worth taking seriously, so your Arlington dentist is here to address it directly. Just keep reading to learn about IV sedation and who’s best suited for it, as those facts will ensure you get a smooth and easy treatment.
Wait, What’s IV Sedation?
To grasp who’s ideal for IV sedation, you’ll need to know what it is first. Why some patients are better suited for it won’t make sense to you otherwise.
IV sedation is the most potent form of sedation dentistry, with effects more intense than those of other sedative options. Unlike nitrous oxide or pills, it applies strong medicine through a thin needle inserted into your arm. A connecting tube then delivers a sedative directly into your bloodstream to help you relax. Plus, the dentist keeps this tube in your arm during the entire treatment to make the calming effects persist.
Since it uses potent sedatives, IV sedation often takes a few days to wear off. A patient should thus have a friend or family member drive them home from their procedure.
Who is Suited for IV Sedation?
Due to how it works, the best candidates for IV sedation are usually:
People Needing Long Procedures
Most patients find long dental procedures slow and boring, all things considered. That said, IV sedation solves that problem by altering a person’s perception of time. Since its sedative can make hours feel like mere minutes, the option is ideal for patients who need lengthy dental work.
People with High Anxiety
As you might expect, IV sedation greatly benefits people with high anxiety levels. Its powerful sedative(s) can keep patients who’d otherwise remain anxious very calm and comfortable. (In contrast, nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation may not be strong enough.) That means IV sedation is well-suited for patients who get extremely nervous at the dentist’s office.
People Who Gag a Lot
If you have an overly strong gag reflex, IV sedation is a great choice for you. Its medicine would be powerful enough to ease your urge to gag, making treatment much smoother. Your dentist or oral surgeon could then proceed with crucial dental care for your smile.
For more details on who’s a good candidate for IV sedation, consult your dental provider. They’ll gladly explain which patients should consider this procedure.
About the Practice
Foundation Dental Solutions is based in Arlington, TX. Led by Dr. Douglas Baldwin, our practice is always striving to give its patients thriving grins. That means we offer preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative oral treatments, all tailored to your mouth’s unique needs. Our team is even ready and able to provide you with emergency care and dental sedation! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (817)-478-4300.