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IV Sedation – Carmichael, CA

The Answer for Stress-Free Procedures

Smiling woman

Even when oral surgery is absolutely necessary, many patients are still extremely nervous about having oral surgery done. This could be due to fear about the specific procedure, but it may also be connected to general dental anxiety, which affects about 15% of the United States population. To help you overcome such fears, Dr. Ji has received extensive training in anesthesia and worked alongside many top anesthesiologists in the nation to deliver effective and foremost safe anesthesia and IV sedation to patients.  To learn more about it as well as other sedation options that you can benefit from during your surgery, contact our office.

Why Choose Sheng Ji, DDS, MD Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery for IV Sedation?

  • Surgeon Extensively Trained in All Forms of Anesthesia
  • Your Comfort is Our Priority
  • Friendly, Experienced Staff Members

What is IV Sedation?

Close-up of tube used for IV sedation in Carmichael, CA

Instead of swallowing or inhaling the medication used in other forms of sedation, IV sedation medications will be delivered directly via one of your veins (usually on one of your hands). The combined effects of various medications we use will place you in a state of deep relaxation/sedation. You will still be able to breathe on your own and maintain all your protective reflexes, but otherwise in a state of twilight sleep, where you will drift in and out of sleep. You’ll experience little to no fear and experience no pain during your surgery, but you probably won’t remember much of what happened anyway due to the memory loss that often occurs as a side effect. IV sedation is one of the safest and most effective way to deliver sedation to patients in well trained hands given the ability to accurately control effects of medications in a timely and titratable manner.

Who is a Candidate?

Filling syringe for IV sedation in Carmichael

Not every patient requires IV sedation, but we highly recommend it for those that:

  • Have a fear of dental treatment or a history of traumatic dental experiences, often to the point where they have avoided professional dental care for years or even decades
  • Suffer from a powerful gag reflex or extremely sensitive/infected “hot” tooth
  • Have trouble sitting still for long periods of time
  • Are undergoing surgery or are otherwise being treated for a complex dental problem
  • Do not react well to medicine meant to numb the mouth

How Does It Work?

Male dental patient giving thumbs up

At the beginning of the procedure, Dr. Ji will seek out a good vein (usually on your arm or hand) to place the small catheter. The catheter will serve as the conduit for medication delivery. Depending on each patient’s medical history, A combination of various medications to relieve pain and anxiety  will be titrated and delivered into the bloodstream, where it will remain active for the remainder of the surgery. Throughout surgery, Dr. Ji and team will continuously keep track of your vital signs and breathing to make sure that your body remains stable. We can use more or less sedative depending on how the surgery proceeds. It is expected that you will still be somewhat drowsy by the time the surgery is done due to lingering effects of medications. You won’t be able to drive on your own in such a state, so you’ll need to make arrangements for someone else to take you home.

What to Expect Afterwards?

Dentist and patient shaking hands after procedure

You’ll be slightly drowsy after the procedure, but this feeling is only temporary. The feeling should wear off after you’ve had a chance to rest for several hours. For at least one day after the surgery, avoid strenuous exercise, medicine that has not already been approved by Dr. Ji, and alcohol. Also, stay away from any situation that would require you to operate a car or another kind of heavy machinery.

IV Sedation FAQs

Patient getting IV inserted into hand before oral surgery

Sedation dentistry in Citrus Heights has the potential to make your oral surgery experience as easy and comfortable as possible. Before you contact us to request a consultation, however, you might want to know more about how IV sedation works and what you can expect from it. Below, you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about IV sedation. If you don’t see the information you were specifically looking for, give us a call so we can personally assist you.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of IV Sedation?

Common side effects include slight bruising or swelling where we insert your IV, headaches and nausea upon awakening, and other minor discomforts. More severe side effects are very rare, so they should not hold you back from committing to IV sedation if Dr. Ji recommends it for you. Such serious side effects can include breathing problems, fainting, persistent vomiting, and severe skin irritation. In most cases, those problems can be avoided if you provide us with a thorough medical history before we approve you for sedation.

How Much Does IV Sedation Cost?

Before your surgery, our practice will provide you with a cost estimate for your entire procedure, including IV sedation. Generally, the price of sedation depends on how long we expect your treatment to take; longer procedures require more sedation medication and incur higher fees. Insurance does not always cover sedation, but you may be able to roll its cost into any type of financing that you are eligible for.

What Is the Difference Between IV Sedation and General Anesthesia?

Both IV sedation and general anesthesia are powerful methods that can help patients relax during procedures. However, there is a big difference between the two. General anesthesia induces complete unawareness of a person’s surroundings, and it slows down breathing to the point where patients need assistance to get enough oxygen into their system. IV sedation is milder. It does not produce unconsciousness, and patients can breathe on their own while under its influence.

What Are the Contraindications for IV Sedation?

Most patients are eligible for IV sedation. However, your sedation dentist in Citrus Heights may look for other ways to enhance your comfort if you are pregnant, have allergies to certain medications, or have some forms of glaucoma. Other conditions that may call for extra caution, but which will not necessarily stop you from undergoing IV sedation, include impaired lung, liver, or kidney function, advanced age, and breathing disorders (such as sleep apnea).

Can Any Dentist Offer IV Sedation?

No. While most dentists are qualified to administer nitrous oxide, more complex forms of sedation require extra training and expertise. State and local regulations also have a bearing on what types of sedation a dental practice can offer. As an oral surgeon who is dual-trained in both medicine and dentistry, Dr. Ji is more than qualified to provide IV sedation.