IV Sedation Dentistry: Is It Right for You?

Fear of the dentist affects 13% to 24% of people around the world. That’s a huge number!

For that reason and many others, more and more people are opting for IV sedation dentistry. IV sedation dentistry means there’s a sedative put directly into your blood that relaxes you during a dental procedure.

Wondering if it’s right for you? Read on to find out more about it and make that choice.

Levels of IV Sedation

Depending on the patient and the procedure, it’s important to know that’s no one size fits all when it comes to sedation dentistry. Knowing the different types can help you decide if you’re interested in it:

• Minimal: a mildly relaxing sedative
• Moderate: you’re awake, but may not remember the procedure
• Deep: you’re asleep but could still wake up if need be
• General: you are completely unconscious (the least common form)

IV sedation in dentistry means the dentist can keep adjusting the sedation to suit both of your needs.

The Cost

Some people might be concerned about the IV sedation dentistry cost to determine if it’s right for them. 

It’s hard to give an exact cost, so asking for a quote from a sedation dentist is the best way to go. The cost will likely depend on the level of sedation and your insurance coverage.

Good Reasons to Say Yes to IV Sedation Dentistry

These are the most common reasons it might actually be a good fit for you. If you relate to one, you should at least talk to a dentist about the possibility!

The Procedure Is Long and Complicated

If you’re undergoing a long procedure and you dread the idea of sitting still for that long, IV sedation in dentistry can be a huge gamechanger. Even with a mild sedative, you likely won’t feel stressed during it and the time will fly past — in fact, you may not remember some of it at all.

Many patients even fall asleep!

You Have Dental Anxiety

Many people have dental anxiety and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. If the thought of even a simple procedure gives you extreme fear, talk to your dentist about the possibility of sedation.

This will not only help the procedure itself fly by but will give you a positive association for the future when you realize how easy it was to get through. Dentists should be understanding of phobias and anxiety, as they likely see patients with this every day and have learned how to make them comfortable.

Consider All These Things to Decide

To decide if IV sedation dentistry is right for you and your procedure, it’s important to consider all of the above. The level of sedation you want, the procedure, the cost, and whether or not you’re afraid of the dentist are important factors in determining whether IV sedation would benefit you.

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