Intravenous Sedation

Intravenous (I.V.) Sedation means you will receive medication directly into your bloodstream to make you relaxed and drowsy.

Deep Sedation (I.V. Sedation) is suggested for patients who have needle phobias, anxiety about dental treatment, or difficult procedures (such as impacted wisdom teeth removal). Patients will feel as if they are asleep and will have little if any awareness of the dental procedure. This is one of our most popular methods of anaesthetic. The patient must follow strict fasting rules from midnight the night before surgery. Our Medical Board Certified Anaesthesiologist will do an anaesthetic history review with each patient prior to beginning the sedation. Once the patient is comfortably sedated, Dr. Gumplinger will administer the local anaesthetic (“freezing”), wait for the patient to become “numb”, and then begin the prodedure. Our anaesthesiologist will carefully monitor the patient throughout the procuedure. The patient must stay in the recovery room under the care of our Registered Nurse (R.N.) after the surgery until the patient is ready to go home. Our R.N. will review all postoperative instructions with the patients’ responsible adult escort, who will also assist with picking up the postoperative prescription and stay with the patient for at least six (6) hours after surgery. The patient must not drive, take public transport, or sign legal documents for 24 hours after surgery.

Moderate Sedation (I.V. Sedation) is suggested for patients with some anxiety and moderately difficult procedures. The patient will be in a state of reduced awareness but will be able to follow commands. Typically, not much is remembered after the procedure and the time seems to pass quickly. The patient must fast for 8 (eight) hours preoperatively. After the I.V. is started, Dr. Gumplinger will administer the local anaesthetic, then begin the procedure. After the surgery is finished, the patient will stay in the recovery room under supervision until they are released into the care of a responsible adult escort who will drive them home and stay with them for at least 6 (six) hours after surgery. Postoperative instructions will be reviewed at that time with the escort and a prescription will need to be purchased. The patient must not drive, take public transport, or sign legal documents for 24 hours after the surgery.