Zero Pain, All Gain: Why IV Sedation Makes Implant Surgery Feel Easy
Surgical procedures of any kind can be stressful. You may be dreading the day of your dental implant surgery for this very reason, even if you’re also excited about getting a fully functional tooth replacement.
One of the options your dentist may offer is intravenous (IV) sedation, which allows you to go through the process of getting dental implants as easily and calmly as possible. Learn more about the comfort of IV sedation for these procedures.
What is IV sedation?
IV sedation allows you to receive relaxing medication right into your veins. This helps reduce anxiety, making procedures easier.
With this type of sedation, you remain conscious enough to answer questions and respond to instructions. At the same time, you’ll receive a local anesthetic to numb the area so that you don’t feel any discomfort.
One benefit of this sedation is that it can impact your memory, so you won’t remember much of the procedure. This can help in future procedures, too, since you won’t associate the experience with pain or fear.
Why It’s a Game-Changer for Implant Surgery
Implant surgery can take some time. Without IV sedation, you might feel anxious, which is not great for you or for your surgeon. You may fidget or start breathing faster, which could impact the local anesthetic.
IV sedation helps lower your blood pressure and heart rate during the surgery, leading to smoother procedures. The medication enters your veins rapidly, so you can immediately get the benefits of the sedation, and your dentist can adjust the levels as necessary just as quickly.
Another significant benefit is that the sedation reduces your gag reflex. This improves surgical conditions and can speed the procedure up, since your surgeon can work more efficiently without worrying about this kind of discomfort.
It’s much easier for surgeons to complete complex procedures in one visit if patients are more relaxed. This is essential for everyone, since it reduces the number of visits necessary to get the desired results.
Since you experience less stress during surgery, you can have a faster recovery time. Cortisol, which is a stress hormone, impairs the immune system, reduces blood flow, and increases inflammation. If you have less of that hormone in your system after the procedure, you are on the path to a swifter recovery.
What to Expect Before, During, and After IV Sedation
If you’d like to get IV sedation for implant surgery, the first step is to speak with your dentist. Let them know that you’re concerned about being stressed or nervous. They’ll give you instructions on how to prepare for the procedure so that there are no complications.
Typically, you will need to fast for at least six hours before the surgery begins. This can vary, however, so ask your surgeon about it.
It can take your body a while to return to your normal state of awareness after receiving IV sedation, so you won’t be able to drive yourself home. You will need to bring someone with you to the procedure who can get you home.
It’s helpful to also wear comfortable, loose clothing to your appointment so that you don’t feel constricted in any way. Leave accessories and contact lenses at home.
If you take any medications, tell your surgeon so that you know whether you can continue taking them up to the day of the appointment. This is especially important if you’re on blood pressure medication.
During the procedure, the level of your sedation will determine how conscious you are. For teeth replacements, sedation doesn’t need to be very deep, but your comfort will be considered. Moderate sedation can lead to gaps in memory, while deeper levels will likely result in you not remembering the procedure at all.
After the surgery, you may feel some drowsiness. It’s possible to experience headaches, dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting. These are typically mild and will fade after an hour or two. Give yourself time to rest.
A Smooth, Stress-Free Experience Starts Here
If you need to undergo implant surgery, there’s no reason to stress over the procedure. During your consultation, ask your dentist about IV sedation for your procedure so that you can have a better experience.
If you need dental implants near Great Falls, Montana, the team at Stephen J. Spencer, DDS, offers the comfortable and trusted services you need. We understand how unnerving the idea of oral surgery can be, so we strive to provide as much comfort as we can to our patients. If you need restorative dentistry services, contact our team to get started.
