Intravenous Sedation (IV) for adults is an injection (of Midazolam) in a vein in the arm. The patient is heavily sedated but is still conscious. The effect is prolonged sedation (1 hour) and the patient is much more relaxed. We still use injections in the gum (local anesthetic) but the patient has had the IV injection in the arm first so is little affected by these. Large amounts of treatment - fillings, crowns, extractions, extensive deep cleaning, an implant or other oral surgery - can be carried out at one visit. Afterwards the patient often cannot remember much of the treatment they know they must have had. Please Note: the patient is NOT unconscious, just sedated. (If there was a fire, she/he could walk outside; they might not remember much though!)
IV sedation is useful for nervous patients and for those people requiring a lot of work where holding the mouth apart for a long time would be difficult and uncomfortable. General Anesthetic is not available in the practice. There is a referral system if the dentist decides this to be the right course of action.
IV sedation is useful for nervous patients and for those people requiring a lot of work where holding the mouth apart for a long time would be difficult and uncomfortable. General Anesthetic is not available in the practice. There is a referral system if the dentist decides this to be the right course of action.
Anaesthesia and Sedation