Modern IV sedation offers a safe and comfortable way to undergo a wide range of dental treatments. With origins dating back to the 1650s, this medical technique has to been perfected over centuries and is now widely used across dental practices offering the very best in care. Our experienced dentists are here to provide exceptional support as you seek to restore and maintain the beauty of your smile.
IV sedation is an impressive medical technique, with a history that dates back to the 1650s. It was William Harvey, an English physician, who discovered the circulatory system of the body, which led two gentlemen to successfully administer opium to a dog via the bloodstream. This discovery revolutionized the medical field and over the centuries, doctors have further advanced and perfected the technique to what is known today as modern IV sedation.
Exceptional Dental Care
Briar Pointe Dentistry is proud to provide exceptional dental care that will have patients smiling with confidence. They are dedicated to helping every patient meet their treatment goals, whether they are looking for a routine checkup or a full-scale cosmetic makeover. Their team of experienced dentists and staff take the time to get to know every individual patient, discussing their medical and dental history before proceeding with any treatments. They are committed to ensuring patient safety and comfort throughout the process, and their team is available to answer any questions you may have about IV sedation, insurance coverage, or payment plans.
Scheduling an Appointment
Scheduling a sedation appointment is an important step for someone who is undergoing a procedure. Appointments are typically scheduled in the morning due to certain eating and drinking restrictions that must be followed 6 hours before the appointment. Any medications taken in the morning should be discussed with the doctor before the appointment. The person accompanying the patient should also be prepared to drive them home and stay with them as they recover. On the day of sedation, work or school should not be attended. To ensure a successful recovery, the patient should plan to rest at home and make arrangements for someone to take care of any children or pets. Our office will provide detailed post-operative instructions for the responsible adult who will be accompanying the patient home.
Tourniquet Application
Patients undergoing sedation will be accompanied by an adult who will drive them home once the procedure is complete. They will then be brought into a treatment room where their vitals will be taken and they may receive an oral sedative pill. In some cases, a tourniquet may be applied to facilitate easier access to veins for direct IV sedation. This temporary restriction of venous blood flow allows for arterial blood to engorge the veins, making them more visible and easily accessible for IV placement. It functions similarly to a traffic light, in that when the light is red the traffic stops temporarily and when it is green, (the tourniquet being removed), traffic continues its flow.
The injection site is then prepared with alcohol and numbing cream before a catheter or indwelling needle is placed in the vein. Medical professionals will then aspirate the site of injection to ensure they are in the lumen of the vein, as evidenced by blood drawn back into the syringe. With this confirmation, the medical team can administer the drugs to begin the flow of IV sedation.
This technique, called titration, carefully monitors the dosage to ensure that the patient is completely comfortable and does not feel a thing during the procedure. The rate of infusion is adjusted to maintain a slow flow that prevents needle occlusion throughout the procedure. Once the procedure is complete, the drug administration will cease and the patient will wake up feeling a bit groggy but without any pain or discomfort.
Experience Comfort and Security with IV Sedation at Briar Pointe Dentistry
At Briar Pointe Dentistry in Novi, MI, Dr. Neil Blavin and Dr. Rikki Blavin are proud to offer excellent IV sedation for dental treatment. This service is designed to provide you with the care that you need to feel comfortable and secure. Don’t hesitate to call 248-347-0030 today to schedule a consultation and explore your options!
IV sedation is a valuable and advanced medical technique that has stood the test of time to become what it is today. At our dental office, we use it to provide high-quality yet gentle care that meets our patient’s treatment goals safely and comfortably. To ensure a successful sedation appointment, patients should speak with our practitioners about their medical and dental history, follow pre and postoperative instructions, and make arrangements for someone to drive home and take care of them while they rest. We encourage everybody exploring IV sedation to contact us with any further questions you may have.
