South Vancouver IV Sedation

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Dental treatment has advanced greatly in recent years. There are now safe and effective ways to make the time you sit in a dental chair more comfortable and less anxiety-provoking. Sedation dentistry is a relatively new field of dentistry that uses safe and effective medications to make your dental procedure as relaxing and stress-free as possible. One form of sedation is called IV sedation or intravenous sedation. The staff at Fraserview Dentist are pleased to offer this service at our sites to make your experience more comfortable.

Learn more IV Sedation and how your South Vancouver dentists can ease your anxiety about dental visits

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How IV Sedation Works

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If you choose IV sedation for a dental procedure and you’re a good candidate, our staff can deliver medications that relieve anxiety through your veins. These medications will help you feel more relaxed during your visit.

How does it work? The South Vancouver dentist staff inserts a thin needle into your arm to access your bloodstream. Once the needle is in place, a tube sends medications through the vein into your bloodstream to help you feel more relaxed.

The most common medication used in IV sedation is a class of medications called benzodiazepines. Doctors sometimes prescribe benzodiazepines in pill form to treat anxiety and insomnia, but they work faster when you give them intravenously. Benzodiazepines have a sedative effect that relaxes your body and mind, so you don’t feel anxious or fearful. You will also have less awareness of what’s going on around you. Most people who get IV sedation quietly doze while the procedure is going on and feel no pain, anxiety, or discomfort.

Benzodiazepines are enough in many cases, but a combination of opioids and benzodiazepines is also an option. Opioids help with pain control during and after the procedure. Combining benzodiazepines with opioids also means you need less benzodiazepine to feel relaxed.

How does IV sedation, or sleep dentistry, make you feel? IV sedation causes your body to enter a state of deep relaxation. Awareness of your surroundings is diminished, although you will not be in deep sleep as with general anesthesia.

After the procedure is over, you may have little memory of what took place and will continue to feel relaxed and comfortable. This state of deep relaxation may continue for a few hours after the procedure. That’s why it’s important to have someone drive you to and from South Vancouver Dental. You should also avoid activities that require focus and concentration like operating a car or machinery for at least 24 hours after IV sleep dentistry.

If you choose IV sedation at our South Vancouver clinic, you’ll be in good hands. Our team will monitor you while you’re sedated and ensure you’re comfortable as you come out of sedation and regain awareness. Sedation or sleep dentistry is safe and carries little risk.

IV Sedation vs. Oral Sedation

IV sedation differs from oral sedation where you take a pill to relax you before a procedure. IV sedation takes effect faster than oral sedation since you receive medication directly into your bloodstream. With IV sedation, you enter a deeper state of relaxation and recover faster than with oral sedation. Because of the deeper state of relaxation, IV sedation is a better choice if you have severe anxiety about dental procedures.

Are You a Good Candidate for Sleep Dentistry?

You might wonder whether you’re a good candidate for IV sedation. If you have a strong fear of dental procedures, IV sedation is an option for you. One of our dentist in South Vancouver will take a look at your medical history and go over your list of medications to ensure you’re a suitable candidate for IV sedation.

IV sedation dentistry is also an option if you’re getting multiple teeth filled, several root canals at once, or need extensive oral surgery. Children and adults with high levels of anxiety about dental appointments may also be good candidates for IV sedation during a dental procedure.

Is sleep dentistry right for you? We each have different levels of fear and tolerance for dental procedures. If you experience extreme anxiety at even the thought of visiting a dentist, you might choose IV sedation for even minor dental procedures. It’s a way to reduce stress and anxiety without going until general anesthesia where the risks are higher.

When is IV Sedation the Best Option?

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IV sedation may be appropriate if you’re anxious about dental procedures or put off going to the dentist because of fear and anxiety. Dental anxiety is more common than you think and avoiding dental care can lead to serious teeth and gum issues.

Sleep dentistry, or IV sedation, is also an option if you need multiple dental procedures. IV sedation can make it more tolerable to sit in a dental chair for long periods. With IV sedation, you may get more than one procedure done at a single appointment with less anxiety. The South Vancouver dentist team is here to answer your questions about IV sedation at our South Vancouver clinic.