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How to prepare for dental sedation and what to expect

If you have an upcoming oral surgery and you feel nervous about it, maybe it's time to discuss sedation options with your dentist.

At Navan Dental, we offer intravenous sedation, an anti-anxiety medication that keeps you comfortable and relaxed throughout your dental procedure. If you want to learn more about this treatment keep reading or contact your Navan dentist.

What is intravenous sedation and how does it work?

There are different types of sedation that a patient can receive in the dentist's chair and it all comes down to their level of anxiety and the type of examination they are undergoing. Intravenous (or IV) sedation will not put you to sleep, but will help you relax and be less anxious about the upcoming procedure.

Unlike gas sedation that is inhaled, or oral sedation that's taken in pill form, your dentist in Navan will administer IV sedation straight into your bloodstream through a vein. Soon after, the relaxation medication will start to work and you will feel relaxed but you will still be able to understand what's going on around you. More importantly, IV sedation doesn't prevent you from communicating with your dentist if necessary. Its effect will gradually wear out after the end of the operation.

Preparing for IV sedation

IV sedation is very easy to administer but requires some preparation in advance from your part. Firstly, you should arrange to be accompanied by an adult who will wait for you throughout the treatment and accompany you back home. This is really important because you won't be able to drive while the sedation wears off. Your dentist in Navan will give you specific instructions about any medications you might take and you may have to stop taking some of them before the procedure.

It's important to arrive for your appointment up to 15 minutes earlier so that you can prepare yourself. Remove bulky accessories from your face, including glasses and contact lenses, and tie your hair back if they are long. Then simply relax and answer to your dentist's questions.

We are here to help

Interested in our dental services? You'd be delighted to know that we also accept medical card patients.