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Dental procedures are nobody’s idea of fun. However, they are most often necessary, since problems with your mouth can spread to the rest of your body. Oral health has been described as a window to your overall health, and maintaining good oral health requires regular visits to the dentist. For some, it is a minor inconvenience, but for others, going to the dentist can cause high anxiety — high enough for them to avoid going to the dentist altogether.

Sedation dentistry has made it possible for people with dental anxiety to become proactive about their oral health and fix lingering dental issues. Dentist phobia is far too common. In a study of patients with irreversible pulpitis — a condition where the pulp can no longer be saved and the inflammation does not go away — approximately 83.1 percent rated their dental anxiety as moderate to high, with 16.2 percent meeting the criteria for phobia. Such people can benefit from sedation dentistry tremendously.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is the use of intravenous (IV) sedation to deliver anesthesia during a dental procedure in order to put the patient in a relaxed state. Some patients may fall asleep during the dental procedure, but not to the point where they cannot be easily roused. For most patients, they are conscious but not fully aware of what’s happening. It’s described as a semi-conscious state where you experience no pain or discomfort during the procedure. There are varying degrees of sedation: mild, moderate, or deep. The dentist will recommend the best option depending on the patient’s level of anxiety and the specifics of the procedure. The dentist will wake you up once the procedure is over.

What Happens After IV Sedation?

If you are concerned about the lingering effects of IV sedation, here’s what you can expect. Once awake, you may feel a bit loopy or groggy, so driving is out of the question. Dental procedures involve careful planning, so before going in for a procedure, have someone available to take you home afterward. Your mouth may be dry as a result of the suction, gauze, and sedative. Your dentist may send you home with a prescription for pain medication, which you should take as instructed. You may feel drowsy for 24-48 hours after the procedure. Overall, within a few days, you should be back to normal. You will not feel any moderate or long-term effects of the sedation.

IV Sedation Dentistry in Plantation, FL

A dentist can help you decide whether IV sedation is right for you. Dr. Ernie Soto offers sedation dentistry as an option to his patients who have dental anxiety. With IV sedation, Dr. Soto is able to perform many procedures that could induce anxiety in some patients.

Above all, Dr. Soto makes sure you are completely comfortable during any dental procedure and even during annual visits. Our entire team maintains a relaxing and friendly atmosphere in our clinic, where we treat every patient like family. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Soto, call (954) 368-6264 or request an appointment online now. We offer special financing with low-cost monthly payment plans to our patients through CareCredit® and LendingUSA.