Do you avoid getting dental treatment? The American Dental Association reports that roughly 22% of Americans put off seeking dental care because of fear, anxiety, or discomfort. Unfortunately, this can dramatically increase the risk of serious oral health issues. Thankfully, dentists are using modern sedation techniques to help keep their patients as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Some patients particularly benefit from IV sedation in Columbia. Read on to find out more about this form of sedation dentistry and see if it could help you at your next dental appointment.
What Is IV Sedation?
As the name implies, this method involves administering an anti-anxiety drug directly into your blood stream. A small needle is inserted into a vein in your arm or hand to introduce the medication. Then, within a few minutes, you’ll feel completely relaxed and at-ease.
Your entire dental treatment will be performed while you’re in this sleepy state. All throughout, your dentist will be carefully monitoring your pulse, oxygen intake, and level of comfort. When your dental care is complete, the needle will be removed. You’ll begin to wake up but will likely feel very groggy for the rest of the day, so you’ll need a friend or family member to take you home after your appointment.
Are You Awake or Asleep During IV Sedation?
Although IV sedation dentistry in Columbia is often colloquially referred to as sleep dentistry or twilight sleep, you will not be asleep during your treatment. Unlike general anesthesia, this is a conscious sedation method. You will be responsive enough to answer questions and follow directions from your Columbia dentist throughout your procedure, but you won’t be fully awake. Since you’ll likely have little to no memory of the experience afterward, you may feel as though you were unconscious during your treatment.
Who Should Use IV Sedation?
IV sedation can help a variety of patients feel more comfortable in the dental chair, including those who:
- Suffer from severe dental phobia.
- Require extensive dental work.
- Have difficulty sitting in a treatment chair for long periods of time.
- Have a strong gag reflex or very sensitive teeth.
- Usually experience difficulty getting numb with local anesthesia.
Don’t let fear keep you from getting the dental care you need. IV sedation dentistry may be able to help you finally achieve the happy, healthy, and beautiful smile you’ve always wanted!
About the Practice
Beck Dental Care has been providing Columbia, TN comfortable dentistry with long-lasting results for over 40 years now. Their highly experienced team of dentists has completed numerous hours of continuing education in a variety of advanced topics as well as specialized training in IV sedation dentistry. They have helped countless patients overcome their fear of visiting the dentist and receive the oral health care they deserve. If you’d like to learn more about IV sedation, feel free to contact them via their website or at (931) 388-8452.