If the thought of dental treatment worries you, it is easy to put treatment off.
The fear of pain, the memories, the smells, it can all be so overwhelming that some people will only visit the dentist when they are in pain and have no other choice.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what IV Sedation (twilight sedation) is, how it can help you, and answer some frequently asked questions.
IV Sedation: The Facts
IV (or intravenous) Sedation (twilight sedation) is a type of conscious sedation where medication is administered through a vein, usually in the arm. The effects of the medication are almost immediate.
Patients report a deep sense of calm and relaxation throughout treatment. Crucially, you will remain awake without the stress or anxiety you might typically feel in the chair.
At Wanneroo Dental Centre, we use a medicine called Midazolam, which is the most common and safest form of sedation. Midazolam is incredibly short-acting and comes from the benzodiazepine family, and the effects of the medication will wear fully off 6-12 hours after your treatment has finished.
Is it Safe?
Midazolam is the most frequently used for IV Sedation during dental treatment. One of the great things about Midazolam is that it can be easily reversed if medically necessary, increasing the safety of administration and overall patient outcomes as a result.
How will I feel under IV Sedation?
The effects of midazolam can vary from person to person, but in general, you can expect to feel a lot more relaxed and less anxious after taking the medication. Some patients may also feel a little bit drowsy or tired too.
IV sedation creates the “deepest” form of sedation on offer in general practice and outside of a Hospital setting. In the chair, you will feel deeply calm, accepting of treatment and not anxious or worried about the procedure.
Many patients also report a welcomed amnesic effect in that it is known to make patients forget the memories of the treatment itself (i.e. from the time of injection). After a dental appointment under IV Sedation, patients tell us they do not remember the specifics of the treatment itself, which goes a long way to building up confidence in the chair.
What should I expect after my treatment?
You will not be able to drive or operate machinery for the rest of the day, so please ensure you have arranged transport home before your appointment.
IV Sedation also requires a chaperone so we can make sure you have the right aftercare and support directly following the appointment. This is possibly the main drawback, as it requires some logistical thinking!
If you’re looking for IV Sedation in Perth, please do not hesitate to get in touch! We would be more than happy to discuss this option with you further.
