Yes. IV sedation is a safe and well-established option when provided by a dentist with the proper training and certification. Throughout your appointment, we'll closely monitor you to make sure you're comfortable and responding well to the medication.

Will I Be Asleep During IV Sedation?

Not completely. IV sedation places you in a deeply relaxed state, but you'll still be able to respond if we ask you a question or give you instructions. Many patients remember very little about their treatment once it's over.

Can I Drive Home After IV Sedation?

No. Because the sedative effects can last for several hours, you'll need someone to drive you home after your appointment. We also recommend taking the rest of the day to rest and recover.

How Long Does IV Sedation Last?

The effects vary from person to person, but most patients feel drowsy for several hours after treatment. While you'll likely start feeling more like yourself later that day, you'll still need to avoid driving, operating machinery, or making important decisions until the medication has fully worn off.

Safe and Effective IV Sedation Dentistry in Victoria

If you have dental anxiety, you might avoid or delay visiting the dentist. At Dr. Crapo & Associates’ clinic, we provide IV sedation dentistry services in Victoria to help you overcome your fear and stress. Dr. Crapo has been concerned with pain management since his teens, when he was a patient himself. As an IV-sedation-certified dentist in BC, Dr. Crapo can help you attain an unparalleled level of comfort.

What is IV Sedation?

For a dentist with the proper training and certification, intravenous (IV) sedation is a highly effective pain management method. Your dentist will administer sedatives intravenously to lower your state of consciousness while still allowing you to respond to questions and instructions.

Before using IV sedation, your dentist should discuss pain control issues with you and explain what the procedure will be like in clear language that you understand. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, such as:

How will you communicate during the procedure?
What will your dentist do if you feel discomfort part way through?
Will your dentist use a local anesthetic? What will the needle be like?

Make sure you feel comfortable with the answers, and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.

Defeating Anxiety with Sedation Dentistry in Victoria

If the thought of sitting in the dentist’s chair keeps you up at night, we can prescribe you an oral sedative to alleviate your anxiety. If music helps, you can wear headphones to drown out the world around you. And if you’d prefer to have us sing for you… we’ll try our best. We really mean it when we say our goal is making your visit as comfortable as possible.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Our sedation dentistry services can help you:

undergo multiple dental treatments without fear
enhance your dental treatment experience
control gag reflex
experience pain-free dental treatment
save both time and money required for follow-up visits

Common Procedures Performed Under IV Sedation

IV sedation can make dental treatment feel much more manageable, especially if you're nervous about visiting the dentist or need a longer procedure. It's commonly used for a variety of treatments, helping patients feel relaxed and comfortable throughout their dental procedure.

Wisdom tooth extractions
Root canal therapy
Dental implant placement
Multiple tooth extractions
Gum treatments and periodontal procedures
Extensive restorative dentistry
Full-mouth rehabilitation
Treatments that would otherwise require several appointments

Every patient is different, and not every procedure requires IV sedation. We'll discuss your treatment plan, answer your questions, and help you decide whether sedation is the right option for you.

A doctor in sterile gloves inserts a dropper needle into the patient's hand

What to Expect Before, During, and After IV Sedation

If you're considering IV sedation dentistry and have never been through the procedure before, it's normal to have a few questions. At Dr. Crapo & Associates, we'll walk you through the entire process and make sure you feel comfortable every step of the way.

Before IV Sedation

We'll start by reviewing your medical history, current medications, and overall health. We'll also provide clear instructions about eating, drinking, and arranging a ride home after your appointment.

During IV Sedation

A small IV is placed in your arm or hand so the medication can be administered. Most patients feel relaxed within minutes. You'll remain able to respond to questions and instructions, but you'll likely feel very calm and may remember little about the procedure afterwards.

After IV Sedation

Once your treatment is complete, you'll spend a short period recovering before heading home. It's common to feel sleepy for the rest of the day, so we recommend taking it easy and following the post-operative instructions we provide.

Many patients are surprised by how comfortable the experience feels. If dental anxiety has been keeping you from getting the care you need, IV sedation can make all the difference.

Sedation and Health Conditions

We can intravenously sedate individuals with a wide range of health conditions. Sedation is especially useful for patients who are already being seen by a doctor for health concerns such as diabetes and high blood pressure. In such cases, we’ll evaluate your health either alone or in consultation with your family doctor or specialist.

If we discover an untreated or previously undetected condition during our evaluation, we may postpone your dental treatment and refer to your medical doctor. These situations rarely happen, but we prefer making your health and safety a priority.

Experience the difference of a truly comfortable dental visit. You can also reach out to us for root canal therapy and wisdom tooth extraction.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment for IV sedation dentistry in Victoria.