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Is the dread of sitting in your dentist’s chair keeping you from seeking the care you need? IV sedation is an excellent way to quell dental anxiety or phobia. It involves a dentist administering a combination of antianxiety medication and anesthesia intravenously to keep patients comfortable and relaxed throughout their procedures.
If you’re contemplating receiving IV sedation for your dental work and you want to learn more about it, here are a few questions you may find worth asking your dentist about it during your appointment.
Q: Is Dental Sedation Right for Me?
While dental sedation is safe and beneficial, it is not for everyone. To determine your eligibility for it, your dentist will review your medical history as well as factor in your overall health, age, and weight. Your dentist may not recommend IV sedation if you have any of the following circumstances or medical conditions:
- You’re overweight or obese.
- You’re pregnant or lactating.
- You have hypertension.
- You’re allergic to benzodiazepines (sedative).
- You have a respiratory condition (e.g., chronic bronchitis, etc.).
Q: Aside from IV Sedation, What Options Are There?
Dental sedation can be done in two other ways: orally or through inhalation (nitrous oxide/ laughing gas). However, of the three options, IV sedation acts most quickly and is very potent: it makes it especially helpful for patients with severe anxiety who need to undergo complex or multiple dental treatments.
It’s worth noting that not every dentist offers all three options, so this is definitely worth discussing during your appointment.
Q: What Risks Are Involved?
Having anesthesia always has risks. These include headaches, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, and watery eyes. If you have motion sickness, you are likely at a greater risk for nausea and vomiting.
To help minimize these risks, your dentist will provide you with detailed preoperative instructions, which include not eating and not drinking six and two hours prior to your procedure, respectively. Also, make sure to let your dentist know about the specific medications that you’re taking.
IV Sedation Dentistry in Eugene, OR
Don’t let dental phobia take over your life and ruin your smile. If you live in or around Eugene, Oregon visit us here at 360 Dental.
Dr. Ari Binder, our highly qualified family dentist, offers IV sedation, and he is best known for his warm and engaging personality, which makes even the most nervous of patients look forward to each of their succeeding appointments.
To learn more about our dental services or to book an appointment with Dr. Binder, call our dental clinic today at (541) 689-1645. Alternatively, you may use our convenient appointment request form.
