IV Sedation for Oral Surgery

Sleep Through Your Treatment

At Mission Valley Premier Oral Surgery, patient comfort is our top priority. That’s why Dr. Marc Dentico-Olin and our team offer IV sedation for patients undergoing dental surgery at our office. With IV sedation, you can relax, sleep through your surgery, and wake up with a new smile at our office.

Understanding IV Sedation and How It Works

IV sedation uses powerful sedative drugs that are delivered directly to your bloodstream through an IV bag. Unlike other options like pill-based oral sedation, this means that the sedative takes effect almost immediately.

Once the sedative begins to work, you’ll feel very relaxed, groggy, and sleepy. It’s pretty common for patients to fall asleep after receiving IV sedation. However, unlike with general anesthesia, you won’t be “knocked out” or fully unconscious with IV sedation.

Instead, you’ll be lightly conscious. You’ll be able to breathe on your own and even respond to commands in most cases. This makes IV sedation a great option for patients who may want a deeper level of sedation but would prefer to avoid the complexity and cost of general anesthesia.

The Benefits of IV Sedation

IV sedation has some unique benefits, especially when compared to other types of sedation like nitrous oxide (laughing gas), pill-based oral conscious sedation, and general anesthesia:

• Rest and relax during your visit – You’ll feel extremely comfortable throughout your entire visit, and you’ll probably drift off and fall asleep during your surgery at Mission Valley Premier Oral Surgery.

• You’ll be deeply sedated, but not fully unconscious – IV sedation delivers deeper sedation than nitrous or pill-based sedation options. But because you aren’t fully unconscious, the treatment is much simpler, safer, and less costly compared to other options like general anesthesia.

• You’ll forget your treatment – The drugs used for IV sedation usually cause you to partially or completely forget about the treatment process, which is great for patients who have dental anxiety.

Is IV Sedation a Good Choice for Me?

This depends on the oral surgery you need, your past experiences with dentistry, your budget, and some other factors. At Mission Valley Premier Oral Surgery, we often recommend IV sedation for patients who need extensive oral surgery or complex procedures.

For example, if you’re having multiple teeth extracted or you need several dental implants, getting IV sedation can help you relax and feel less anxious about your treatment. Sedation also helps Dr. Dentico-Olin and our surgical team provide more efficient treatment, especially for patients with special needs or complex oral health issues.

Dr. Dentico-Olin and our team will also need to discuss your health history, the medications you’re taking, and some other details with you. This ensures that you’re healthy enough to be sedated safely with IV sedation.

IV Sedation FAQs

Have any questions about IV sedation and how it works? We’ve got the answers you need.

Is IV sedation safe?

Yes. The drugs used for IV sedation are extremely safe, and our doctors are fully trained and certified in the delivery of IV sedation in a dental setting. Also, our team will discuss your health history, any health conditions you may currently have, and your list of medications with you. These steps ensure that you can be sedated safely at our office.

Does IV sedation have any after-effects?

Yes. After your treatment, you may feel groggy, nauseated, and confused. Other common side effects include dry mouth, headaches, and impaired motor skills. For some patients, these after-effects may wear off in a couple of hours, while some may experience them for 4-8 hours or longer.

Can I drive myself home after IV sedation?

No. You cannot drive yourself to our office or back home after you get IV sedation. After your treatment, your motor skills may be impaired, so you should not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least the rest of the day.

If you’re getting IV sedation at our office, we will require you to bring a responsible adult with you who can drive you to and from our office, and who can monitor you for a few hours once you get home. This ensures your safety after your surgery at Mission Valley Premier Oral Surgery.