Manhattan Beach dentist explains why IV sedation is a good option for tooth extractions

No matter how well you take care of your teeth at home, sometimes tooth extractions are necessary – whether it is due to traumatic injury, overcrowded wisdom teeth, or other issues. The number one question patients ask when they are facing a tooth extraction is, “Will it hurt?” With any dental surgery, there will be some discomfort afterwards, but at  Manhattan Beach Dental Solutions, we strive to make the procedure as comfortable and pain-free as possible while you are in the dental chair. That’s why IV sedation is a good option for extractions for many of our patients.

How IV sedation works

IV, or intravenous, sedation works by administering a sedative directly into the bloodstream. The sedative is continuously monitored by our dental team to ensure that the proper dose is being administered for your optimal comfort. IV sedation is different from general anesthesia. With general anesthesia, you cannot be aroused and are totally asleep, and intensive monitoring of your breathing and heart function are necessary because you are in such a deep sleep state. With IV sedation, you are in more of a “semi-awake” state where anxiety is reduced but you do not need assistance to breathe and maintain normal heart rhythms.

Benefits of IV sedation

There are many benefits of IV sedation — it is a good option for both your comfort and your safety! In some cases, patients are so stressed or panicked about their treatment that they begin to move around during the tooth extraction, which can be dangerous if the dentist doesn’t expect it and can sometimes even make it impossible to complete the procedure. And IV sedation isn’t just a good idea for patients who have dental anxieties. If you have a strong gag reflex, it can make the extraction difficult to perform, and it can even be helpful in simply relaxing you for lengthy procedures when you will need to sit in the chair for an extended.

Other benefits of IV sedation include:

• It is safe and effective.
• It is fast-acting, which minimizes the time you need to spend at the office.
• The dosage can be adjusted as needed during your procedure.
• You remain conscious during the procedure and can respond to the questions or signals provided by the dentist or hygienist.
• You won’t remember the treatment after the sedation wears off, making the procedure less likely to contribute to future dental fears.
• Its effects wear off by the next morning.

It is important to note that IV sedation does not numb pain. So, anesthetic will be used in conjunction with the sedative.

What to expect with IV sedation

When you arrive at the office, we will first make sure you are comfortably seated in the dental chair. Then, we will administer the sedative through an IV. While the sedative is being used, we will monitor your vital signs and oxygen levels to ensure your safety during the procedure. We will also ensure that your airway remains open so that you are fully able to breathe on your own.

After your treatment is over, you will need to get a ride home from a friend or family member because you will be groggy. We will monitor you after your treatment is complete until it is safe for you to go home. When the sedative wears off, you will likely not remember much, if anything, about the appointment. You should feel completely normal by the following morning, if not earlier.

Don’t fear tooth extractions – call us today!

If you need a tooth extraction but have been delaying your treatment due to anxiety or fear of pain, you don’t need to wait any longer. At Manhattan Beach Dental Solutions, we take the stress away from your dental treatment! We provide gentle, compassionate care and have a variety of sedation options to help make your time in the dental chair pleasant and comfortable. We will talk with you about your treatment preferences, how extensive your procedure is anticipated to be, and your level of comfort with having dental work done to determine the best sedation option for you. Call our Manhattan Beach, CA office at 310-340-6663 to schedule an appointment today.

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