Relaxed, comfortable dental care
IV sedation lets you relax so deeply during dental treatment that most patients remember little or nothing of the appointment, while still breathing on their own and responding to the dentist. It is ideal for dental anxiety and for longer procedures such as wisdom teeth removal and implants. Bathurst Centre Dental Care offers IV sedation dentistry at our Thornhill clinic for patients from Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill and North York.
What is IV sedation?
IV sedation is a form of conscious sedation that helps patients with anxiety relax during their dental procedures. It also helps patients to be more comfortable during a longer surgical appointment such as one that involves the extraction of multiple wisdom teeth. The dentist or medical nurse administers the sedation intravenously.
Unlike general anesthesia, this method does not put the patient fully to sleep, but it does make them less aware of their surroundings. They can still respond to verbal commands or gentle nudging, and should not need help breathing. In the majority of cases, patients do not remember the procedure at all when the effect of the sedation wears off. Patients generally have a shorter recovery time with IV sedation than they do with oral sedation or general anesthesia.
Who is IV sedation for?
Dental anxiety or phobia
Patients who avoid the dentist because of fear, or who have had bad experiences in the past.
Long or complex procedures
Wisdom teeth removal, multiple extractions, implant placement or several treatments completed in one visit.
Strong gag reflex
Patients who find impressions, X-rays or back-tooth work difficult to tolerate.
Difficulty getting numb
Patients for whom local anesthetic alone has not been enough, or who are very sensitive to sounds and smells.
What happens at a sedation appointment?
Consultation
We review your medical history to confirm IV sedation is right for you, and give you instructions about eating, drinking and medications before your visit.
IV started
On the day of the appointment, a dental professional or medical nurse starts an IV in your hand or arm. Any other medications you need, such as anti-inflammatories, are usually given through the IV too.
Monitored throughout
The dentist and nurse monitor your pulse, breathing and blood pressure throughout the procedure. You should feel relaxed almost immediately and unaware of sights, smells or sounds.
Recovery and escort
You may feel drowsy for several hours. A responsible adult must take you home with your post-procedure instructions.
What should I do after IV sedation?
For the next 24 hours after sedation:
Do not drive
Or operate machinery, cycle or use public transit alone.
Avoid alcohol and unapproved medications
They can interact with the sedative still in your system.
No strenuous activity
Rest at home with a responsible adult.
No important decisions
Do not sign legal documents or make major decisions until the effects have fully worn off.
What other sedation options are available?
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
Breathed through a small mask, it takes the edge off anxiety and wears off within minutes, so you can drive home. Available for cleanings and most treatments.
Oral sedation
A sedative pill taken before the appointment produces a deeper relaxation than nitrous oxide. You will need a ride home.
IV sedation
The deepest level of conscious sedation, adjusted moment to moment through the IV. Best for anxious patients and longer surgical procedures.
IV sedation FAQs
Not fully. IV sedation is conscious sedation: you are deeply relaxed and drowsy, you breathe on your own and can respond to the dentist, but most patients remember little or nothing of the procedure afterwards.
Yes, when provided by a trained team. Sedation in Ontario dental offices is governed by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario’s standard of practice, and your pulse, breathing and blood pressure are monitored throughout. We review your medical history and medications at a consultation first to confirm it is appropriate for you.
Dr. Steven Biner is trained in a range of sedation techniques, including IV sedation, for patients who are anxious about dental treatment. A medical nurse or trained dental professional assists with the IV and monitoring.
You will be given specific instructions about eating and drinking at your consultation. Sedation usually requires an empty stomach for a period before the appointment, so please follow the instructions exactly or the appointment may need to be rescheduled.
You will feel drowsy for several hours after the appointment and should rest for the remainder of the day. Most people feel normal by the next morning. Recovery is generally quicker than with oral sedation or general anesthesia.
Yes. While IV sedation is most often used for surgery, it can be used for any treatment if anxiety would otherwise keep you from getting care. Many anxious patients combine several treatments into one sedated visit.
Coverage varies by policy; some plans cover sedation for surgical procedures such as wisdom teeth removal. The CDCP lists sedation services among its covered services for eligible patients. We will confirm your coverage before the appointment. CDCP at our clinic.
Anxious about dental treatment?
You are not alone, and you do not have to put off care. Book a consultation at our Thornhill clinic to find out whether IV sedation, oral sedation or nitrous oxide is right for you.
Hi there! I have severe TMJ due to a connective tissue disorder which causes my jaw to dislocate very easily while talking, chewing, yawning, etc. It causes me a lot of pain so i avoid the dentist like the plague because keeping my mouth open for even a short time really hurts. It’s hard to brush my teeth due to this, so I know that i have cavities and am unable to chew on one side due to a broken tooth. I’m really worried about the health of my gums and teeth and want to get these issues fixed but there is no way i could handle an exam let alone fillings or cleaning. What should i do? Is there a type of dentist i could go to that could use general anesthesia?
Thank you for the help 🙂
Hi Natalie, you will want to go to a dental office that offers general anesthesia for cleaning and fillings and other dental work. There are general dentists who will regularly have an anesthesiologist and anesthesiologist nurse come to their office so they can offer that service to their patients. In Ontario, Canada, we also have dentists specialized in dental anaesthesiology who can do both general dentistry and sedation.