Do you feel anxious about visiting your dentist every time your dental appointment looms closer? You’re not alone! This study showed that dental fear and anxiety affect approximately 36 per cent of the population. Thankfully, modern dentistry allows dentists to ensure patients are comfortable and relaxed during dental procedures. A common way dentists use to alleviate dental anxiety and pain is through IV sedation.
Recently, one of our dentists, Dr. Darryll Iwaszkiw, started offering IV sedation to patients in Kildonan Crossing Dental Centre after performing sedation dentistry for the last six years at the Health Sciences Centre.
What Is IV Sedation?
IV sedation, also known as conscious sedation, relaxes you during your appointment by making you feel more relaxed. It doesn't put you to sleep fully, which means you can still respond to verbal commands and light touches. Unlike other forms of sedation that require you to inhale (like nitrous oxide) or take in pill form, this sedation option is administered through an IV placed in a vein.
Benefits Of IV Sedation
IV sedation has many benefits, such as:
- It works quickly
- You feel minimal to no pain during your dental treatment
- Your dentist can monitor your vitals and easily adjust the level of sedation
- You won’t remember the procedure when you wake up
- Allows your dentist to perform multiple procedures with ease in a single appointment
Who Is The Perfect Candidate For IV Sedation?
Before scheduling you for an IV sedation procedure, your dentist will perform a thorough health evaluation. Older patients or those with serious medical conditions may require a consultation with their physician or doctor first. Good candidates for IV sedation typically include patients who:
- Have moderate to high levels of dental anxiety
- Need complex dental work
- Have a strong gag reflex
- Require longer or multiple procedures
We work hard to ensure you’re comfortable and relaxed during your visit. In addition to IV sedation, we can also work at the pace you're comfortable with, give breaks when needed and provide calm reassurance when required. Your comfort is important to us, so don’t hesitate to book an appointment with us if you’re ever in need of dental care or treatment. Our team is ready to welcome you with open arms! You can find us in Transcona, at the corner of Lagimodiere Boulevard and Regent Avenue.