Plenty of people are nervous or anxious about receiving dental care of any kind. The good news is that dentists can use sedation to keep these feelings under control so that they don’t get in the way of important treatments. One particularly notable sedation option you may have heard of is sleep dentistry. What exactly is it, and does it really make it possible to sleep through your appointment? Here’s what you need to know.
What is Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep dentistry is another name for IV sedation, which involves delivering a powerful sedative directly into the bloodstream via a vein in the hand or elbow. Once the sedative takes effect, it can put you in a highly relaxed state where you’re completely unbothered by what’s going on around you.
Does IV Sedation Actually Put You to Sleep?
Technically, no, IV sedation does not truly put you to sleep. You will typically remain conscious enough to respond to your dentist’s questions or instructions. However, you will have reduced awareness throughout your procedure (meaning you won’t experience any discomfort), and you may sometimes be drowsy enough to drift off to sleep on your own. On top of that, you may find that you don’t have any memory of what happened while you were under the effects of IV sedation.
What Can You Expect with IV Sedation?
Your dentist will give you instructions for preparing for IV sedation. In particular, you’ll need to avoid eating or drinking anything for a set amount of time before your appointment. During the actual treatment, your dental team will carefully monitor your vital signs and adjust the level of sedation as needed.
It’s important to note that it can take a while for the effects of IV sedation to completely wear off. As such, you should plan on having someone else drive you home once your appointment is complete.
Is IV Sedation Right for You?
IV sedation is typically recommended for those with severe levels of dental anxiety. It is also used for particularly complex or lengthy procedures, and it can be beneficial for those who have trouble sitting still for extended periods or suffer from overly strong gag reflexes.
Of course, before you receive this form of sedation, your dentist will need to make sure that it’s safe for you. This involves carefully reviewing your medical history and considering the current state of your health in order to make sure that IV sedation is a viable option in your case.
Thanks to IV sedation, severely anxious patients can have a more positive experience at the dental office. If you think sleep dentistry may be right for you, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist about it.
About the Practice
At Carolina Complete Dental, our team includes three caring dentists as well as a nurse anesthetist. Thus, not only are we able to offer our patients a wide range of high-quality dental services, but we can also help them overcome their dental fears and anxieties with multiple forms of sedation, including IV sedation. If you would like to learn more about how IV sedation can help you stay calm and relaxed at our dental office in Goose Creek, reach out to us through our website or by calling (843) 553-5235.