Our Dental Blog

Ensuring Your Comfort With IV Sedation

December 9, 2020
iv sedation

Did you know that we’re one of the few general dental practices in the area that offer IV sedation? In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO, dentist will explain how we use this option to ensure the comfort of patients with dental anxiety, and those undergoing complex dental health treatments.

When Do We Prescribe This Option?

We may suggest this option for people undergoing more complex treatments, usually those involving oral surgery. For example, we’ve provided IV sedation for people having a tooth extracted, or for those having one or more dental implants placed. We also suggest this option for people with special needs or severe dental anxiety, which could make undergoing even minor procedures a difficult prospect. You enter a very deep state of relaxation, with no memory of the procedure afterward. We will take your medical history and other factors into account before we prescribe this option!

The IV Process

The sedation will be administered via IV directly into the bloodstream, which means the effects are almost immediate. A trained anesthesiologist will be on hand to monitor your vital signs throughout the procedure. This is the deepest form available, and for that reason, the effects may take time to wear off once the procedure ends. You should arrange for a friend or family member to bring you home. We will provide detailed aftercare instructions, as well as prescriptions for any necessary medications.

Other Treatment Options

For other procedures, we also have alternatives with nitrous oxide and oral consciousness. With nitrous oxide, we administer a gas through a mask placed over the nose. The patient inhales the calming agent, and enters a euphoric state, with the effects wearing off once the procedure ends. Oral consciousness is a deeper relaxation and is administered via a pill or liquid before the procedure begins. With nitrous oxide, you will be able to return to work or school, while oral consciousness may take time to wear off completely. Both will leave you conscious and able to respond to the dentist but with little to no memory of the procedure itself. If you have any questions about these calming agents, or about our treatment options, then contact our team today. Remember, if you have an issue that needs treatment, let us know now so we can start the process before the year ends and your 2020 dental insurance benefits expire.

Do You Have Questions About the Sedation Process?

We would like to help you undergo complex treatment options with comfort, which is why we have multiple options available to help you enter a calm and relaxed state. To learn more about our treatment options and calming solutions, then schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.