Finding Comfort in Treatment: The Benefits of IV Sedation

Posted by Diane Smith on January 17th, 2025

IV sedation (twilight sedation) is an option for reducing anxiety and allowing patients to receive treatment they would otherwise not be able to tolerate. It is highly reliable and offers greater control over the dosage of medication compared to oral sedation.

With this type of sedation, a needle is placed into a vein in your arm or hand. You will be able to respond to questions and follow directions while under minimal, moderate or deep sedation.

Intravenous (IV) Sedation

IV sedation (also known as "twilight anesthesia" or "sleep dentistry") is administered directly into the bloodstream through a line inserted into your vein. It is extremely safe and highly reliable because the ideal dosage can be adjusted more quickly than with oral sedation. It allows a deeper level of sedation and is also effective for diminishing the gag reflex.

Typically, local anesthesia will be injected first before your IV sedation Benson NC. This can include numbing medicine for a small incision, scar revision or earlobe repair.

During your appointment, you'll be monitored with vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure. You will need someone to drive you home afterward, and it's best to avoid strenuous activities and making important decisions for 24 hours after your sedation appointment. You may experience nausea and vomiting after the medication wears off. If this happens, it is helpful to consume clear liquids such as water or juice. Avoid dairy products at this time.

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is used for surgeries that require you to be in a deep sleep-like state. It works by blocking all the nerve signals coming from the body and stops you from feeling pain or moving. It is usually given before the surgery starts and continues throughout the procedure.

The anaesthesiologist gives you a medicine called propofol (Diprivan) via IV injection or inhaled as a gas. At lower doses, it induces sleep and anxiolytics; at higher doses, it is a respiratory depressant and can be used to induce unconsciousness for intubation or other surgical procedures.

You will wake up after the surgery is over and the medications are stopped. You will feel groggy and may have an oxygen mask on to help you breathe until you’re fully awake. It can take a few hours for you to completely recover from general anesthesia. During this time, you should have someone to drive you home or stay with you until you are feeling better.

Sedation for Sleep Disorders

Sedatives make a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) work overtime to slow your brain activity, causing relaxation and drowsiness. Healthcare providers commonly prescribe them for anxiety disorders and insomnia. They may also use them for anesthesia purposes and to treat seizures and muscle spasms. Examples include benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium; barbiturates such as phenobarbital; and melatonin agonists such as Rozerem and Suvorexant.

Be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully. Like other drugs, sedatives can cause short- and long-term side effects, including addiction and dependence. If you think you are dependent on sedatives, speak to your healthcare provider right away. They will help you find the best solution.

Sedation for Surgery

IV sedation Benson NC is commonly used with oral surgery and more complicated dental procedures. It helps patients who experience anxiety and fear about dental treatments feel more at ease. It can also be used to help patients who have had previous bad experiences with dentistry and who are afraid of receiving treatment in the future.

Your healthcare team will monitor you closely, as they would with general anesthesia. They may also use equipment to support your breathing during sedation. Medications are typically administered through an IV in your arm. They can range from minimal sedation (you’ll be awake but relaxed) to moderate sedation or deep sedation, which will make you drowsy but still able to respond to questions and follow instructions.

The medications can be combined with other types of pain control, such as local anesthesia, which is injected to numb a small area, and regional anesthesia, which numbs a larger part of the body, such as from the waist down. The anesthesiologist will discuss the type of sedation you will receive before your procedure begins.