If dental visits make you feel nervous or overwhelmed, you’re far from alone. Many people experience dental anxiety on some level, and although it can make receiving the care you need a bit more challenging, it shouldn’t stop you from protecting your oral health.
Fortunately, sedation dentistry provides a simple way for patients to remain calm and comfortable during their procedure.
Two of the most common types of sedation dentistry available are oral and IV. Understanding how these options work and what to expect from oral sedation vs IV sedation can help you enter your appointment feeling fully prepared and far more at ease.
What Oral Sedation and IV Sedation Mean in Dentistry
Dentists use sedation to help you relax during treatment. The option that your dentist will suggest may depend on the length of the procedure and the level of calm they’re hoping to achieve. So, what’s the difference between oral and IV sedation?
Oral Sedation
Oral conscious sedation dentistry involves you taking a medication in pill form before your appointment. You stay awake during the procedure and will remain able to respond to your dentist, but you will feel very relaxed.
IV Sedation
IV sedation for dental procedures involves your dentist delivering medication directly into your bloodstream. Under this medication, you enter a much deeper, dream-like state, where you remain conscious but may feel as if you slept through the procedure and remember very little.
How Oral Sedation Works and What It Feels Like
Oral sedation for dental procedures offers a simple and effective way to take the edge off dental anxiety. You simply take a prescribed medication absorbed through the stomach about an hour before your visit that has the following effects:
- You feel calm and relaxed
- You stay awake and aware, but less focused on the procedure
- Time may feel like it passes quickly
- You may remember parts, or all, of your visit
This option works well if you:
- Feel nervous but not severely anxious
- Prefer a non-invasive option
- Want to stay awake during treatment
How IV Sedation Works and What It Feels Like
IV conscious sedation dentistry creates a deeper level of relaxation and works much faster than oral sedation. It involves your dentist putting a small IV in your arm or hand and sending the medication directly into your bloodstream.
When you receive IV sedation, you can expect to:
- Feel deeply relaxed within minutes
- Potentially drift in and out of sleep
- Forget much of the procedure
- Remain able to respond if needed, but feel completely at ease
You’ll enjoy a faster onset with IV medication, and your dentist will also have the ability to adjust the sedation level during treatment.
This option works best for:
- People with severe dental anxiety
- Longer procedures that need steady sedation
- Anyone who prefers a more “sleep-like” sedation
What to Expect Before, During, and After Each Type of Sedation
While sedation dentistry can help you feel more at ease during the procedure, you may still feel nervous anticipating the day of your appointment. Taking a moment to learn what to expect before, during, and after sedation can provide some clarity and comfort.
Before the Appointment
Before scheduling your appointment, your dentist will review your medical history and assess your circumstances to determine which sedation option would work best for you. Once you know what type of sedation you’ll receive, your dentist will give you preparation instructions for the day of your procedure.
During Your Appointment
Regardless of which sedation option you use, your dental team will monitor you closely to make sure you remain calm and comfortable, and that the process goes as smoothly as possible. All you need to do is sit back and relax while your dentist completes the procedure.
After Your Appointment
With both IV and oral sedation, you may feel groggy or tired for several hours after the procedure. You’ll need someone to drive you home from the appointment, and you should rest for the remainder of the day to allow time for the sedation to wear off and for you to heal.
Contact Babylon Dental Care Today
If anxiety has kept you from visiting the dentist, sedation options can help you feel more at ease when receiving the treatment you need. The team at Babylon Dental Care can sit down with you to discuss your options and determine the best way to help you feel safe and comfortable going into your next appointment. Contact Babylon Dental Care online or call (631) 983-6665 today to schedule your appointment.