All About IV Dental Sedation: How It Works and What to Expect

You may be one of the 15.3% of the population who suffers from dental fear and anxiety. You may even be one of the 3.3% whose fear of the dentist is severe, keeping you from regular visits because you have such an intense aversion to seeing your provider. 

Fortunately, the field of sedation dentistry has changed significantly in the past few years, offering numerous options from mild sedation to complete unconsciousness during the procedure. But what is IV dental sedation, and what should you expect from it? 

At Ueno Center Dental, we offer many types of dental sedation. We understand that for some, this is the easiest, safest, and least anxiety-inducing option for a dental visit. Our founder, Jeremy K. Ueno, DMD, and our other providers want to ensure you’re able to get the procedures you need without fear and discomfort.

Types of dental sedation

We offer four types of dental sedation at Ueno Center Dental Specialists. These are in order from least to most intensive and include: 

• Local anesthesia 
• Nitrous oxide 
• IV sedation 
• General anesthesia 

The first two options leave you mildly awake while the last puts you fully under anesthesia. We often use IV sedation for dental anxiety and fear because it allows you to be unaware of the procedure, but you avoid the risks associated with general anesthesia.  

Also called “twilight sedation,” IV sedation puts you in a state of mild semiconsciousness so you don’t remember or experience anything that’s happening. This can often be the best option for someone who needs a dental procedure but is very afraid to go through with it.

How IV sedation works 

IV sedation utilizes an intravenous medication (usually midazolam) that causes you to fall asleep. It begins to work very quickly after we administer the medication. You wake up later with little to no memory of the procedure. We monitor your heart rate and breathing while you’re under and can adjust the medication, if necessary. 

What to expect before and after the procedure

Before you’re able to undergo the procedure, we need to make sure you understand the parameters of the treatment. You should to bring someone with you to drive you home, as you won’t be able to drive yourself. The effects of the IV sedation take a few hours to wear off. 

We give you instructions that explain you’ll need to wear loose, comfortable clothing and remove jewelry that could become tangled or caught. You may also need to fast for a certain period before your procedure.

Once the procedure has ended, we give you time to come out of the anesthesia slowly. When you’re ready, we release you. At home, you should have someone stay with you because you’ll likely feel tired, groggy, and unbalanced from the medication. This will wear off in a few hours. 

Is IV sedation right for me? 

If you’re undergoing a long procedure, or if you simply have a fear of going to the dentist, IV sedation could be perfect for your needs. We can discuss your specific situation and recommend the best treatment for you. 

Call us at our office in Campbell, California, or book an appointment at your convenience online. We look forward to helping you get the best treatment for your oral health.