There are a number of adults and children in the New Hampshire area that don’t visit the dentist for necessary treatments or checkups because they dental anxiety. IV sedation is a great way to provide an anxiety free and safe dental experience.

Mistakenly, sedation dentistry is thought to induce sleep, but the fact is, these medications allow the patient to be awake throughout the treatments. IV sedation relieves both anxiety and pain. The patient won’t be able to recall most of the sights, smells and details of the appointment.

IV sedation

Patients who have IV sedation, report feeling a very relaxed and calming sensation. Most often feel like they slept through the procedure, though they were able to answer any questions the dentist asked them

IV sedation has an immediate effect because the medication is administered directly into the bloodstream through a very small needle in the arm or hand. This way those with such anxiety will quickly feel relaxed.

The patient will need someone to drive them home because they may feel sleepy or groggy after the sedation is withdrawn.

This medication has an amnesic effect, which means the patient won’t remember much of the procedure, if any. This makes the dental experience much more pleasant. But don’t worry, the patient will be in a “semi-awake’ state, able to respond to any questions or verbal commands.

IV sedation does need a qualified third party present to monitor the vital signs and breathing. They can also adjust the medication based on the needs.

Who administers the IV sedation?

Over the past several years the ‘Single Operator Model of Sedation’, where the dentist simultaneously performs both the anesthesia and the dental work has come under intense scrutiny, especially for pediatrics. Many professionals are saying this type of practice is unsafe and has lead to many medical disasters. Some areas have evened banned single operator anesthesia.

To ensure the highest level of safety, have a Certified, Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) administer IV sedation and monitor your vitals, while the dentist can concentrate on the dental procedures.

At Blue Sky Anesthesia Associates, we bring hospital-level sedation to your dentist office. Our #1 goal is patient safety and satisfaction because we care for you, like we would our family. We partner with dentists throughout New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massatucets