If you’re an especially fearful dental patient, modern treatment aids and medication have made visits a more relaxing experience. Of all the options available for relieving dental anxiety with sedation, IV sedation from a certified provider can offer a level of relaxation that makes longer procedures more manageable.
When considering IV sedation for your next dental procedure, consider how this method of sedation compares to more commonly offered alternatives, such as nitrous oxide and the oral conscious version.
Oral Conscious Sedation
This version is given in pill-form and is often a variety of popular anti-anxiety medications, such as Halycion, Versed, or Valium. Oral conscious sedation can come in a variety of dosages and strengths, with each carrying a different half-life, or how long they will remain in your system. It’s common to take a dose of medication before your appointment at home and/or right before you are taken back for treatment while in-office. Oral conscious sedation is effective at producing a calming sensation, but it is more difficult to precisely control how long this reaction may last. Patients may need to return home to rest for a few hours after treatment to allow time for the medication to work through their systems.
Nitrous Oxide
Perhaps the more common version of sedation, nitrous is provided via a mask that is placed over your mouth and nose. After inhaling the medication for a few minutes, you will begin to feel less anxious and more relaxed. This version of sedation can be reversed more easily, as oxygen is inhaled to flush the effects out of your system. However, nitrous produces a more moderate level of relaxation and may not be ideal for longer dental procedures.
IV Sedation
IV sedation, like the oral conscious method, can promote deep relaxation. Patients feel as if their appointment has passed in the blink of an eye. IV sedation also takes effect quickly, as medication is administered intravenously. As this specialized procedure requires certification and training, it is less common, but highly effective. The deep relaxation sensation can also be more easily tapered off, as your dentist has better control of how much sedative medication is continuously provided. Patients who choose IV sedation do not experience the groggy after effects of oral conscious medication and can utilize this service for longer or more comprehensive dental visits.
At Riata Dental, Dr. Uldrikson is licensed to provide IV sedation in Kingman, AZ. For more information on how IV sedation can soothe your dental anxiety and help you complete complex procedures with at-ease, call our office today.
