Sedation
What is Sedation?
When a drug, usually of the anti-anxiety variety, is administered into the blood system during dental treatment, this is referred to as Intravenous Conscious Sedation. Not to be confused with general anaesthesia.
How will having sedation affect me?
You remain conscious during IV sedation. You will also be able to understand and respond to requests from your dentist. In most cases you will still need an injection to numb your mouth during treament, but if you are very nervous this will only be done once sedation has reached its full effect.
You may not remember much about what went on because of two factors: firstly, in most people, IV sedation induces a state of deep relaxation and a feeling of not being bothered by what's going on. Secondly, the drugs used for IV sedation can produce either partial or full memory loss (amnesia) for the period of time when the drug first kicks in until it wears off. As a result, time will appear to pass very quickly and you will not recall much, or perhaps even nothing at all, of what happened. So it may, indeed, appear as if you were "asleep" during the procedure
Who administers the Sedation?
At Werner Joubert Dental we outsource our Sedation and have Medical doctors trained to administer sedation come in to the practice and assist us during treatment. They also charge separate to the practice for their services.
Advantages
- The onset of action is very rapid, and drug dosage and level of sedation can be tailored to meet the individual's needs. It is both highly effective and highly reliable.
- The maximum level of sedation which can be reached with IV is deeper than with oral or inhalation sedation.
- The drugs used for IV sedation can produce either partial or full memory loss (amnesia) for the period of time when the drug first kicks in until it wears off.
- The gag reflex is hugely diminished
- Can be ideal for those with a phobia of dental injections
- Conscious IV sedation doesn't really introduce any compromises per se in terms of carrying out the actual procedures, because people are conscious and they can cooperate with instructions.
- A needle has to be put in the arm or hand to administer the medication during treatment.
- Recovery from IV administered drugs is not complete at the end of dental treatment. You need to be escorted by a responsible adult.
Disadvantages
- A needle has to be put in the arm or hand to administer the medication during treatment.
- Recovery from IV administered drugs is not complete at the end of dental treatment. You need to be escorted by a responsible adult.