Choosing IV sedation for an oral surgery procedure in Plymouth, MA is often one of the best ways to ensure a comfortable, relaxing, and pain-free experience. IV sedation is the most customizable type of sedation, so the level of medication being administered intravenously will be precisely the amount a patient will need, for as long as they need it.
How Does IV Sedation Work In Plymouth, MA?
Of all the sedation methods used in dentistry today, only IV sedation delivers anti-anxiety medications directly into the bloodstream. This allows the medication to move quickly via the veins throughout a patient’s system. With IV sedation, patients almost immediately feel calm and a little drowsy.
While being given medicine intravenously by a trusted doctor, patients will be able to respond to verbal requests. For instance, an oral surgeon may ask a patient to turn their head slowly to one side or another. However, the patient will feel very calm and be in a state of near sleep. Unlike general anesthesia, though, IV sedation does not put patients to sleep completely. It just renders them in a state of complete relaxation.
To ensure patients are safe throughout their IV sedation, the dental team will monitor some of their responses like heart rate. When the patient’s procedure is over, the team will stop delivering the calming medicine and begin bringing them back to full consciousness. Chances are very strong that the patient will remember nothing about their treatment.
Why Do Many People Choose IV Sedation In Plymouth, MA?
For many people, IV sedation allows them to finally get the dental care they have put off due to dental anxiety or fears about discomfort. IV sedation is particularly useful if a patient:
Has Dental Anxiety
A patient finds it hard to be in a dental chair or undergo dental procedures, including non-invasive and minimally invasive ones.
Needs Surgery
A patient needs to have a surgical service, such as placement of one or more dental implants for implant-supported dentures or full arch dental implants.
Multiple Procedures
When a patient needs to have multiple procedures done during one appointment, like a tooth extraction and bone graft.
Unable To Sit Through The Procedure
The patient tends to be unable to sit still for long periods of time or has an unusually intense gag reflex.
What Can You Expect After Undergoing IV Sedation?
One of the most common questions dental patients ask about IV sedation in Plymouth, MA, is, “What will I feel like afterward?” It is a great question, actually, because it allows them to understand exactly what to expect.
Most people who undergo IV sedation feel normal relatively soon. However, this office will ask that patients always have a driver. No one should drive immediately after IV sedation, since the anti-anxiety medications used during IV sedation take time to wear off. It is also suggested that patients do not go back to school or work the same day. Instead, take the day to recharge.
To help keep patients comfortable throughout the healing process, following the patients’ IV sedation and treatment, an oral surgeon may prescribe painkillers. Or, the oral surgeon may tell the patient to take over-the-counter medicines to reduce inflammation or intense oral sensations. Patients should be sure to follow all their post-surgical instructions. Depending upon the treatment patients received, those instructions will vary.
Tips For The Best Possible IV Sedation Experience
There are a few dos and don’ts that an oral surgeon will recommend patients to follow, so be sure to follow all pre-operative instructions from them. In general, patients can prepare in the following ways:
Don’t Eat Or Drink 6 Hours Before Surgery:
Undergoing IV sedation is best on an empty stomach, as the medication can sometimes cause feelings of nausea during the procedure. An oral surgeon will make an exception if the patient must take a specific medication in the hours leading up to their surgery. Be sure to only take this medication with a small sip of water.
Refrain From Smoking At Least 12 Hours Before Surgery:
While it’s ideal to not smoke for a greater number of hours or days before a surgery, patients will need to refrain in the 12 hours before their appointment time. Smoking can interfere with a patient’s breathing while they are receiving IV sedation and can increase their risk of heart issues before and after surgery.
Have Someone Available To Accompany You During Surgery:
It’s best if the patient has a friend or family member drive them to their appointment, stay for their procedure, and drive them home when they are ready. Patients won’t be able to drive or operate any kind of vehicle or machinery the day of their procedure and a few days after, especially if they are taking prescribed pain medication.
Wear Loose-Fitting, Comfortable Clothing:
Patient’s will want to feel as comfortable as possible during their procedure, so be sure to wear comfy clothing and shoes to the appointment. Remember, IV sedation is administered intravenously, and any clothing worn should be short-sleeved.
Remove Jewelry, Contacts, Nail Polish, And Make-Up:
To ensure no items or cosmetics interfere with the patient’s surgery or their oral surgeon’s ability to monitor the patients vital signs, leave all jewelry, contacts, and cosmetics at home. This ensures that the patient will experience the safest surgery and have no issues caused by excess accessories that could become lost or irritate their skin and eyes.
Reschedule If You Are Feeling Under The Weather:
In the days leading up to the surgery, if patients begin to feel sick (cold, sore throat, fever, nausea, upset bowels, etc.), contact a trusted oral surgeon to reschedule the appointment. A patients body needs to be healthy and strong to undergo surgery, especially with IV sedation, to minimize the risk of infection and promote healthy healing.
Schedule Your Appointment
Have more questions about choosing IV sedation for your oral surgery? Get in contact with your doctors, William F. Lane and William M. Lane now in our Lane Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center office to schedule an appointment today!
