IV sedation
For surgery, long appointments, and fear that nothing lighter has been enough.
IV sedation is a sedative delivered into a vein, so it takes effect within a minute and can be adjusted as work goes on. It is the deepest sedation available here, used for surgery and for fear that nothing lighter has settled.
Any of these sound familiar?
- Several wisdom teeth are coming out in one appointment.
- You are having implants placed, or another long surgical visit.
- Nitrous oxide and a tablet have both been tried and were not enough.
- Fear has kept you out of a dental chair for a decade, and there is a lot to catch up on.
- Your gag reflex is strong enough to stop work at the back of your mouth.
Start to finish.
-
01
Assessment first
Before anything is booked, Dr. Malik goes over your medical history, your medications and how your health has been lately. Some conditions rule IV sedation out, and he will offer a different route instead.
-
02
Instructions to follow
You get written instructions for the day. They cover when to stop eating and drinking, which medications to take, and who is driving you. Wear sleeves that roll up.
-
03
Starting the line
A fine needle goes into a vein in the back of your hand or the crook of your arm. The spot is numbed first, and most people remember very little after that.
-
04
During the appointment
Your blood pressure, pulse and blood oxygen are monitored the whole time and written down. You breathe on your own and answer when spoken to, and the dose is adjusted as work goes on.
-
05
Coming round
You come round in the chair over half an hour or so, and nobody leaves until they are steady. Your driver takes you home, and you rest for what is left of the day.
What it costs, and who pays.
IV sedation is billed by the time it runs, separately from the surgery it covers. One long sedated appointment can often replace several short ones, which is worth weighing up. Some plans pay part when the sedation is tied to surgical treatment and nothing when it is for anxiety alone.
Ask for a written estimateIV sedation, answered.
Am I unconscious under IV sedation?
No. This is not a general anaesthetic. You breathe on your own and answer when spoken to, though you are unlikely to remember doing it.
Do I have to stop eating before IV sedation?
Yes. You are given a time to stop food and drink, several hours before the appointment, and the appointment cannot go ahead if it has not been followed. Essential medication can go down with a sip of water if your instructions say so.
How long before I feel normal again?
The main effect fades over the first hour, but your reactions and balance take the rest of the day. No driving, no alcohol, no work and no important decisions until the next morning.
Who actually gives the sedation?
Sedation at this level is regulated in Ontario and is only given by someone holding the right permit, with trained staff and monitoring in the room. Ask us who will be giving yours when you book.
