A thin needle will be introduced into a vein in your arm or hand. The
needle will be attached to an intravenous tube through which medication
will be given to help you relax and feel comfortable. At times a
patient's vein may not be able to sustain a needle for the length of the
procedure. In this case, the medications will be administered and the
needle retrieved. Both scenarios will achieve the same desired level of
conscious sedation. Once again some patients may be asleep while others
will slip in and out of sleep. Some patients with medical conditions
and/or on specific drug regimens may only be lightly sedated and may not
sleep at all.
The goal of IV sedation is to use as little
medication as possible to get the treatment completed. With IV sedation,
a constant “drip” is maintained via the intravenous tube. At any time
an antidote can be administered to reverse the effects of the
medications if necessary. IV sedation is very safe!
Along with
IV sedation there are also different “levels” of sedation available to
you in our office. There is nitrous oxide analgesia and oral sedation or
nitrous oxide in combination with oral sedation – basically we can
tailor the anesthesia to your need or desire. Once again, all modalities
are administered and monitored by Dr. Martin in the safety and comfort
of our office environment.
Sedation dentistry is also a great option for the elderly, the disabled, or simply- the fearful!
