What to Expect as Your IV Sedation for a Tooth Extraction Wears Off

Without the proper procedures, a tooth extraction can be a very negative experience. But with IV sedation, you’ll be much more comfortable. If you’re getting ready to have a tooth extraction, here’s what you need to know about sedation as well as what to expect after it wears off. 

At Ueno Center Dental Specialists, we offer a number of tooth replacement options after extraction as well as a safe, effective procedure for tooth removal. This involves the use of IV sedation, which we administer directly into your veins. It works quickly, and it helps you avoid pain, discomfort, and anxiety during your procedure. 

Our founder, Jeremy K. Ueno, DMD, and our additional providers believe proper preparation is key to a healthy recovery from dental surgery, and that means knowing how you’ll feel before, during, and after your procedure.

How IV sedation works 

IV sedation is often called twilight sedation. It’s milder than general anesthesia and allows you to be awake during your tooth extraction. But you’ll be very relaxed and won’t remember much of the procedure afterward.

On the day of your extraction, you should have someone drive you to the office and stay until you’re ready to leave. We administer a numbing agent to the part of your mouth where the tooth is being extracted, and then you receive your IV sedative.

The sedative keeps you relaxed and calm, basically right on the edge of sleep, but you’re still able to respond to our cues. After the procedure, we monitor you for about an hour to ensure your oxygen levels and blood pressure are normal. Then you can go home. 

What happens as sedation wears off 

When you first come around after the sedation, it’s common to feel groggy, tired, and to be honest, a little loopy. This is why you need someone to take you home and get you safely inside. You may also want to sleep for the first few hours or so after your procedure. 

The sedation starts to wear off between the first few and the first 12 hours post-procedure. Because of this, you should avoid operating any heavy machinery for at least 24 hours. You should also allow yourself to rest, as you may be more tired than usual. 

As the sedation fades, you may also experience a mild headache and nausea. These are common side effects that will subside, and some of our patients don’t experience them at all. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated, and you should be fine.

Finally, as the sedation wears off, you’ll start to notice pain and discomfort in the extraction site. Follow our recommendations for post-extraction pain: 

• Don’t sleep or lean on the side where the extraction took place 
• Place ice in a towel or use an ice pack on the extraction site for 20 minutes. Then remove it for 20 minutes
• Take NSAIDs or other over-the-counter painkillers. If we prescribe pain management medication, take it as directed
• Use a saltwater rinse to manage discomfort

Tooth extraction is safe and easy

When you receive IV sedation, the procedure is much less painful. You shouldn’t worry about the process of having your sedation wear off though; it’s not severe, and you won’t experience much pain as long as you follow the rules for post-extraction care.

If you’re ready to book an appointment, call us at our office in Campbell, California. We look forward to hearing from you.