What is IV Sedation?
Intravenous sedation is a technique of anaesthesia whereby anxious patients are rendered sedated by the use of intravenous medications, in order to carry out dental procedures in the dental chair.
The use of intravenous medications is a safe and cost effective alternative for private-hospital based general anaesthesia.
Dr. Trushar Patel (Dental Sedationist) is responsible for the administration and monitoring of the IV sedation procedures – see Sedation for Dentistry.
IV sedation is not suitable for everyone, and will depend on a medical assessment and the complexity and duration of the procedure.
Procedure
An intravenous catheter is placed into a vein located on the back of the patient’s hand. The catheter is required in order to administer your sedative medications.
The intravenous sedation renders you sedated but not unconscious. You are still able to walk, breath and perform normal reflex actions, but should not be aware of anything happening around you. The dentist is still required to administer local anaesthetic solution by way of dental needles, though this should not be painful or apparent to you. There is usually little or no memory of the dental procedure.
Requirements / Important information
The patient must have an IV Sedation consultation with Dr. Trushar Patel via telephone. The consultation will be required to explain the procedure, assess a patient’s medical condition etc.
If Intravenous Sedation is being considered, all relevant information and contact details for the sedationist will be provided at the patient’s consultation.