There are a few things to keep in mind about IV sedation. The first is that it is does not produce the exact same effects as general anesthesia. When you are given general anesthesia, you are completely asleep. You are not able to be woken up until the effects wear off. This is the kind of anesthetic used for medical procedures like major surgery. Think about how long some of those procedures take, and you’ll have a better idea about just how strong general anesthesia is. In addition to its strength, general anesthesia is also a bit more stressful on your body than simple IV sedation. That’s why you need additional support to maintain a clear airway and monitor vitals during general anesthesia.
IV sedation, on the other hand, is a much safer option. Instead of going completely under, you will be put into a more comfortable and safer “semi-awake” state. This means that you might not fall asleep, but you are also likely to have very little memory of the dental procedure performed during the time you were receiving the IV sedation. It’s a good compromise between going into a complete state of sleep and not receiving any sedation whatsoever. IV sedation allows you to keep control of your vitals and, therefore, you can do important things like maintaining your own airway, too.
If you are in need of a dentist that offers safe IV sedation techniques in order to manage your anxiety or to help you get through dental procedures, contact us today. We are experienced in administering IV sedation and would be happy to discuss your options with you. Contact us!
