Had IV sedation for dental work??

17 years ago

I know a lot of dentists use Oral sedation where you take pills by mouth, but have any of you had IV sedation? It's being used more these days for difficult cases, or patients with an high anxiety/fear of dental work. I understand that with many patients it only requires one visit because the dentist can get all the work done, whereas oral sedation may require more than one visit in order to get the work done. The IV sedation is usually given by an anesthetist (and should be) who then monitors the patient, etc.

Have any of you had this, or anyone you know? Was it a good experience?

Thanks for any input,

Leslie/KS

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Comments (9)

heather_on
17 years ago
I've had it done twice. I have a huge anxiety level when it comes to dentists. Actually there was no anesthetist that I know of that was there, the dentist started my IV and injected the demerol, just a specialized nurse who did it because they don't have to intubate you. IV Demerol and Valium is what they gave me and it worked so well! If I was awake, I sure didn't know it, I felt no pain. It was great having the work done all at once and not having to make multiple trips to the dentist.

Afterwards they have you lie down for awhile to recover and you aren't allowed to drive home. I never could stay awake on the way home so there is a reason for that rule! Yes it is well worth it and if I ever have to have more work done, that is how I will do it. When I was a young child I had lots of dental work done and lets just say that dentist terrified me for life, he was far from gentle and never should have been allowed near a child IMHO.

I have to admit I can't even stand the sound of the dentist drill, my blood pressure goes up so high. I wait outside the waiting room and they know to come and get me.
jannie
17 years ago
No, I'm scared of IV sedation or even what they call "sweet air". I manage with a few shots of novocaine.
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janie_ga
17 years ago
I had it when my wisdom teeth were removed and when my mouth was wired shut (wish I had gotten it when they removed the wires!).
hollyinontario
17 years ago
Unlike Heather, (I'm her twin sister), I tolerate dental work with a local as needed. Heather has this phobia as a result of past childhood experiences. I've seen her so bravely fight cancer and go into surgery in a fashion that I'm not sure that I would be capable of. I've been with her for IV's etc. She's one stoic lady for things medical. She'll let the phlebotomist know what vein and what needle to use. If she had a third hand - she'd start her own IV. If they don't trust her judgement, they miss till they follow her instructions. I've seen her get newborn prematures in shock on the first try....she's that good! I would be more afraid of IV sedation than she is as it scares me more not being in control. As an emergency nurse, I assisted with quite a few settings of displaced fractures using the demerol/valium combination. I have a friend who had a tonsillectomy without a general. I won't go that far!
mike1975
17 years ago
I love IV sedation. I had it for my wisdom teeth and don't remember a damn thing that happened! All I remember is waking up in recovery.
frazoo
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks so much for the input!

Leslie/KS
wildchild
17 years ago
If one is so fearful that it's the only way to get the job done I guess it would be necessary or when really complicated oral surgery is involved.

Me I don't want to put myself at risk with sedation when plain old local anesthesia will do. I want to be awake and aware. You can die from anesthesia but a little discomfort never actually killed anyone.

But then I'm one who always asks if I really need novacaine for the procedure. Many times the answer is not really so I get my fillings without anything.
debnfla8b
17 years ago
When I worked as a Dental Assistant we had lots of patients that used hypnosis to relax when having dental work done. When I reached up and turned on the extender lamp light(that light that the dentist reaches up and moves around for better lighting of your mouth) the patient would totally relax. We then could do the work and they had no anxiety at all. The first time I seated a patient that had hypnosis to relax when that light was turned on scared the crap out of me!!! Usually their record would have a flagging stamp on it to let me know they had hypnosis but this one patient didn't have that on her chart. When she totally relaxed in that chair, eyes closed...just not talking like before I thought they had a heart attack or fainted on me.
But hypnosis works! I saw it first hand and the patient was totally aware of what was going on around them but just....relaxed!

Deb
sarahbellum
17 years ago
I can't imagaine ANY insurance company covering this type of sedation unless it was 100% mandatory!
I too have dental phobia, but seem to tolerate it fairly well if I am given nitrous oxide (as well as tons of novicaine) during the procedure.

Had IV sedation for dental work??

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Had IV sedation for dental work??

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