This is a safe and affordable technique allowing patients to tolerate procedures that they may otherwise find unpleasant. It is especially useful for very nervous patients or where a treatment is expected to be prolonged.
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What is involved?
• A consultation and assessment of your medical history will confirm that you are a suitable candidate for IV sedation.
• On the day of the procedure, you may have a light breakfast or lunch prior to sedation.
• You must have a responsible adult to escort you home. You will not be sedated if you have no escort.
• Your vitals will be checked (blood pressure, pulse and blood oxygen saturation). A small cannula will be placed into a vein in your arm. The sedative will then be given and the treatment completed.
• You will be allowed to recover in our surgery until you are ready to go home with your escort.
• A written copy of your post-operative instructions and prescriptions will give given and explained.
• Most patients remember little or nothing of the procedure and find it to be a very comfortable way to have treatment.
• The sedative may take a few hours to fully leave the body and for this reason, patients should not do anything of importance for the rest of that day.
IV sedation is provided predominately for surgical procedures but may be used for prosthodontic treatments in some cases.
These days, private hospitals may charge additional costs for general anaesthesia that may be prohibitive. IV sedation is an easily accessible alternative to general anaesthesia. It is cheaper to the patient and involves a quicker recovery period than general anaesthesia.
