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Sleep/IV Sedation in Santa Monica
Do dental appointments make you anxious? You're not alone. Many people feel nervous or fearful about visiting the dentist due to past experiences, sensitivity, or fear of pain. Fortunately, there’s a solution that can help you feel calm, safe, and comfortable throughout your treatment: IV sedation dentistry.
At our Santa Monica dental office, we offer IV sedation to help patients undergo dental procedures with ease. Whether you’re dealing with dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or needing multiple treatments in one session, IV sedation can make your visit feel smooth and stress-free.
What Is IV Sedation?
IV (intravenous) sedation is a form of conscious sedation where medication is delivered directly into your bloodstream through a small needle in your arm or hand. You won’t be fully asleep, but you’ll feel deeply relaxed, drowsy, and detached from the sights and sounds around you.
Most patients describe the experience as being in a dreamlike state. While you’ll still be able to respond to your dentist’s instructions, you may not remember much, if anything, about the procedure itself. This makes IV sedation ideal for those who struggle with anxiety or want to breeze through longer appointments.
Unlike oral sedation or nitrous oxide, IV sedation is fast-acting and easily adjustable during treatment, giving your dentist full control and keeping you comfortable the entire time.
Who Might Benefit from IV Sedation?
IV sedation may be a great choice for patients who:
- Experience moderate to severe dental anxiety or phobia
- Struggle with local anesthetics not working effectively
- Need complex or lengthy dental work
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Suffer from medical or neurological conditions that make it hard to sit still
- Have had traumatic dental experiences in the past
- Prefer not to remember the details of their visit
Whether you need a single procedure or multiple treatments in one session, sedation can turn a stressful visit into a more relaxed experience.
Benefits of IV Sedation
Here are some key benefits of IV sedation that make it a popular choice among patients:
Calm, Comfortable Experience
Time Flies
Better Efficiency
No Strong Memories
What Happens Before, During, and After?
Before the Procedure
We’ll begin with a consultation to go over your health history and ensure you’re a good candidate for IV sedation. You’ll be given pre-visit instructions, which usually include avoiding food and drink several hours beforehand. Make sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from the appointment.
During Your Visit
Once you’re settled in the chair, we’ll place the IV and begin administering the sedative. Within minutes, you’ll feel calm and sleepy. We’ll continuously monitor your vital signs, including heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure, to ensure your safety throughout the procedure.
Aftercare
You’ll need time to rest and recover as the sedative wears off. You may feel groggy for a few hours. A trusted adult should accompany you home and stay with you for the remainder of the day. It’s best to avoid driving, working, or making important decisions until the next day.
Frequently Asked Questions
You will feel more alert around an hour after the therapy; however, the tiredness may linger the entire day. The best course of action is to rest and wait until the next day to drive or work.
