If you have dental anxiety, you’re not alone. At Dental Image Therapy Centres, your comfort is important to us. Intravenous (IV) sedation is one of the options we offer our Winnipeg patients. It allows you to get your dental treatment in a safe and worry-free manner.
IV sedation dentistry works as a form of conscious sedation to help you feel relaxed during your dental visit. The National Institutes of Health states that during this process, you will be awake and can still respond to verbal cues. However, you’ll be less aware of your surroundings and may not remember much about your procedure.
Unlike other forms of sedation that are inhaled (like nitrous oxide) or taken in pill form, IV sedation is administered directly into your bloodstream. An advantage of IV sedation for our adult patients is that the dentist can easily adjust the dosage if the patient is not sedated enough for the procedure.
Before your appointment, we (and Colgate) recommend that you avoid eating or drinking at least six hours before your scheduled appointment, and stop taking any medication unless previously approved by your dentist. You will need to bring a complete medical history and alert your dentist to any changes beforehand. It’s also important to have someone pick you up after your visit.
During the procedure, a dental professional will inject IV sedation into your arm. You will begin to feel drowsy and relaxed very quickly. The dentist will continuously monitor your vitals for any harmful reactions.
Once the procedure is finished, you may feel slightly groggy for a few hours - which is why it’s important to get a ride home. Avoid any strenuous activity and do not try to make important life decisions during this time. Contact your dentist immediately if you experience complications with the sedation afterward.
Typically, a good candidate for IV sedation includes someone:
Ultimately, your dentist will determine whether you require IV sedation. Is IV sedation okay for kids? Check out our Ask A Dentist blog about this topic.
Dental Image Therapy Centres offers IV sedation for many different kinds of procedures such as tooth extractions and dental restorations. Book your appointment with us today and get the answer to any questions you may have, as well as more information before your visit. We are conveniently located at St. Vital Centre and Garden City Shopping Centre.
Maybe it's time for your and your family's regular checkup and cleaning, you have a toothache or you need to get your treatment plan going - whatever the reason, we're here to help you get your confident smile. Whether you're a new patient or a returning friend, we can't wait to see you at your next appointment at either of our Winnipeg clinics!
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