Don’t Let Anxiety Keep You From Getting Dental Care – Choose IV Conscious Sedation in Boca Raton, FL

IV Conscious Sedation: An Easy Fix for Your Anxiety

No one looks forward to visiting the dentist’s office. Some dental procedures can feel awkward and uncomfortable. Others, like dental surgery, are downright painful.

If your trips to the dentist are anxiety-ridden, you’re not alone. Patients often tell us they have delayed or skipped on getting the care they need out of fear or anxiety.

Thankfully, this problem has an easy solution: IV conscious sedation.

Our IV Sedation Dentistry Services

IV conscious sedation is a medical procedure in which we introduce a combination of pain-blocking and relaxation-inducing drugs into your bloodstream via intravenous access.

You remain awake, but the medications calm you down, reduce anxiety, and provide an extra level of comfort during your visit. An added benefit is that sedation lowers your blood pressure, which has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.

Medications we use for IV conscious sedation include:

• Versed (midazolam): A benzodiazepine or Valium-like drug to reduce anxiety.
• Fentanyl: A potent painkiller.
• Demerol: A longer-acting pain medication.
• DIPRIVAN (propofol): A powerful but short-acting pain blocker administered by an anesthesiologist for additional comfort. The effects are usually gone within four minutes.

Is IV Conscious Sedation Safe?

IV conscious sedation is a safe and routine medical procedure. At Boca Dental, we put your health first and implement multiple protocols to ensure safety throughout your sedation visit.
Our office brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts, including a general dentist specializing in cosmetic dentistry, a periodontist skilled in complex care, and an in-house anesthesiologist with a focus on IV sedation dentistry, to maximize safety and deliver complete dental care solutions.
During the procedure, our experts will continuously monitor your vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, respiration, ventilation, and temperature, using advanced technologies such as:

• Blood pressure monitor (NIBP)
• End-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) monitor
• Pulse oximeter (SPO2)
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Respiration monitor

We also employ continuous oxygen during all procedures to keep your oxygen levels optimal.

Does IV Conscious Sedation Have Side Effects?

Most patients feel groggy and tired once the sedation starts to wear off. You may also experience mild euphoria or have trouble remembering parts of the procedure. All of these are perfectly normal and harmless and typically fade within a few hours. The full recovery time is around 24 hours.

Sedation medications impair perception and coordination much like alcohol, so you must not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least 24 hours after the treatment. Be sure you have someone to drive you to and from the appointment. You must also avoid alcohol before and after your procedure because the combined effects of sedatives can be dangerous.

Another thing to keep in mind is that benzodiazepines may interact with other medications, so tell us in advance if you are taking any prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, or dietary supplements.

What If I Need Additional Doses Of Sedatives?

We got you. After we sedate you initially, we maintain the sedation at the same comfort level throughout the procedure by continuously infusing DIPRIVAN (propofol) via an electronic infusion pump. We set up the pump to dial in the necessary level of comfort. When using propofol, we always employ our in-house anesthesiologist to ensure your safety.

Who Can Receive IV Conscious Sedation?

Most people, including children, are good candidates for IV conscious sedation. Using sedation on children can be particularly beneficial, as it not only reduces discomfort but can help create a positive relationship with dental care. Children who receive sedation should be monitored for the rest of the day and must not participate in sports and other physical activities.

However, sedation may not be an option if you are pregnant or nursing or have a heart, lung, or liver disease. Be sure to consult with your dentist and primary care physician before getting any form of sedation.

Are you a good candidate for IV conscious sedation? Call our IV sedation dentists at Boca Dental at (561) 391-6606 or contact us online to find out!