Dental anxiety should never stand in the way of your oral health. At Waterfront Dental, we offer IV sedation, a safe and effective option to help you feel calm and comfortable during your dental visits.
IV sedation, or intravenous sedation, is a technique used to administer sedative medications through a vein. This type of sedation induces a state of deep relaxation and a reduced sense of awareness.
IV sedation is ideal for patients who experience high levels of anxiety or fear when visiting the dentist. It is also beneficial for patients undergoing lengthy or complex dental procedures. Our experienced team will evaluate your medical history and dental needs to determine if IV sedation is right for you.
Dr. Dawn Merguerian is a highly skilled and experienced dentist dedicated to providing exceptional dental care to her patients. She is known for her gentle approach and commitment to staying at the forefront of dental technology and techniques. Dr. Merguerian takes the time to listen to her patients' concerns and designs customized treatment plans to help them achieve optimal oral health.
The effects of IV sedation usually last about 6 hours with most side effects occurring in the first 1-2 hours of sedation being started. The full effects of IV sedation will wear off after 24 hours.
Sedation can impair your decision-making capabilities and motor skills for 6 hours or longer, so you will not be able to return to work or operate any heavy machinery for the remainder of the day. After your appointment at Waterfront Dental has been completed, you’ll need someone to take you home as you might feel drowsy immediately after the procedure. You should have someone at home to assist you while you recover and the remaining effects from the sedation wear off.
It’s best to take it easy for the rest of the day. Avoid strenuous physical activity, and make sure you drink plenty of water. You may experience some side effects like nausea or, more rarely, vomiting. This is normal, and these side effects will pass as the sedative continues to leave your bloodstream.
You will not be able to drive yourself home after your procedure, as well as several other activities (like strenuous exercise, drinking alcohol, or signing legal documents), so we will require you to come into Waterfront Dental with a relative or friend who can get you home and take care of your needs for the rest of the day.
You may still feel groggy and lethargic following your appointment as it may take up to 24 hours for sedatives to stay in the body. We suggest that you go home to get some rest and avoid much of any activity for the rest of the day. The best thing to do is to sleep it off.
Yes! Patients who suffer from high levels of anxiety or dental phobia, or patients who will be receiving extensive treatment may benefit from IV sedation. If you receive IV sedation, you will be monitored closely throughout your treatment with a state-of-the-art monitoring system. This allows us to see any changes as they occur and safely reverse any sedation if necessary.
We want to make sure all of our patients feel comfortable in our office, so we offer alternative therapies to help alleviate anxiety and foster a calm environment. Contact us today to learn more about our alternative therapies and see which option will work best for you.
