It’s natural to worry that certain procedures, like getting dental implants or undergoing a bone graft, might hurt. Thankfully, many periodontists who offer these treatments understand that you might be anxious and can administer IV sedation directly to your bloodstream to prevent pain and soothe your frayed nerves throughout your appointment.
But you’re not alone if you have questions about this service. For example, many patients first want to know what types of medications are used. Continue reading to learn more about 4 different options your periodontist might offer for IV sedation!
Option #1: Midazolam
Many periodontists consider this the gold standard of dental sedation because it kicks in within just a few minutes after administration and can be reversed afterward with flumazenil. This medication falls within a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, which work by slowing brain activity to suppress your nervous system’s response, which can have a soothing, anti-anxiety effect.
It usually lasts for an hour or two, which can be ideal for certain procedures. It can also cause short-term memory loss, meaning many people are unable to recall the details of the procedure once it wears off, which many anxious patients consider an added benefit of dental sedation.
Option #2: Propofol
This is another popular option for IV dental sedation, but because it contains soybean oil, glycerol, and egg lecithin, it may cause discomfort when injected unless an additional anesthetic is added, and those with known allergies to these ingredients should avoid it.
Propofol tends to work faster than midazolam, as most patients start to feel the effects within about a minute or two. But the body processes this medication quickly, so in many cases, clinicians administer it continuously throughout the procedure. It can sometimes cause a fall in blood pressure, so your stats will be monitored while you’re sedated to ensure that they stay within healthy ranges. This drug often clears the system after about 10 minutes, so most patients recover relatively quickly.
Option #3: Ketamine
Ketamine is derived from phencyclidine, more commonly known as PCP, a synthetic dissociative drug that was initially developed in the 1950s. Today, safe dosages of Ketamine are sometimes used for IV dental sedation because they help relieve pain and prevent patients from clearly remembering the details of their treatment afterward.
One dose lasts between 5 and 10 minutes, so this might be offered for those undergoing shorter procedures, and may not be offered for patients who are 16 years old or younger, as its efficacy and safety for children haven’t been largely studied.
Option #4: Dexmedetomidine
This option mimics natural stage 2 sleep, allowing patients to remain calm and comfortable while still able to respond to questions or directions. As a result, it is often used to induce a light-to-moderate conscious sedation. It’s usually continuously administered throughout the procedure, which can also prevent patients from remembering all the details of their visit.
If you’re unsure what medications your periodontist uses for IV sedation, you can learn more by contacting their office directly!
About the Practice
Patients at Georgia Periodontics, LLC benefit from two experts eager to help them build happy, healthy smiles. Dr. Litterer and Dr. Scher, both highly accomplished periodontists, collaborate to offer a variety of complex, cosmetic, and surgical services, including IV sedation, customized to meet your unique needs. Their compassionate approach, paired with state-of-the-art equipment, delivers more comfortable, accurate results meant to last. If you have questions about the medication they use, you can contact the office on the website or call one of their conveniently located offices near you!