For our patients, IV conscious sedation allows us to induce a state of deep relaxation or "twilight sleep" and a feeling of tranquility during their procedure. Subsequently, the medication can create a feeling of memory loss during the time the medication is administered. Time will seem to pass very quickly and patients often do not recall much, or oftentimes anything, from the procedure.
Advantages to IV Sedation:
- The onset of action is very rapid, and drug dosage and level of sedation can be tailored — huge advantage compared to oral sedation.
- The maximum level of sedation which can be reached with IV is deeper than with oral or inhalation sedation.
- The gag reflex is hugely diminished — people receiving IV sedation rarely experience difficulty with gagging.
- Can be ideal for those with a phobia of dental injections.
- Because people are conscious and they can cooperate with instructions, and there is no airway tube involved.
- Unlike general anesthesia, patients under IV conscious sedation are able to respond to commands and breathe on their own.
- Less side effects than general anesthesia