Sedation Dentist – Worcester, MA

What Does IV Sedation Feel Like?

IV sedation involves administering sedative medication through an intravenous (IV) line directly into a patient’s bloodstream, resulting in a rapid calming and deeply relaxing effect.  Patients are still completely responsive to verbal and physical stimuli, though they may not remember much about their procedure. Note that even though it may cause the sensation of drowsiness, IV sedation does not put patients fully to sleep; rather, it makes them far less aware of their surroundings, including anything their dentist might be doing! The effects of IV sedation can last for several hours following treatment, and sometimes nausea is possible, but most patients begin to feel more alert and back to themselves within an hour post-procedure.  

Is Sedation Dentistry Covered by Insurance?

The majority of insurance providers consider sedation dentistry to be a “luxury” expense in the same vein as cosmetic dental work, even though it’s undeniably beneficial. That said, they usually do not offer coverage for its cost. However, there might be exceptions: for example, if a patient has a certain disability, dental treatment might not even be possible without sedation. Another situation that might be covered involves exceptionally complex procedures, such as multiple tooth extractions or oral surgery. At the end of the day, though, every insurance plan is very different. If you have any questions about how to pay for your treatment or how you can possibly use your insurance coverage for assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.

Is IV Sedation Safe?

Patients can only receive sedation dentistry after getting the okay from their dentist; this is to ensure that there are no medical complications that might interfere with the treatment. That said, you can rest assured that just like other forms of sedation, IV sedation is completely safe for patients of all ages (there are some exceptions, including pregnancy, patients on certain medicines, or those with intense sleep apnea). One’s vitals (heart rate, oxygen levels, etc.) are carefully monitored throughout the entire process, and there are no serious lasting side effects. Once patients are roused, it’s recommended to have someone keep a watchful eye on them for the remainder of the day, since they’ll still be a little out of it.

Am I a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?

IV sedation is ideal for patients with severe dental anxiety that wouldn’t allow them to otherwise receive treatment. It’s also used often for patients undergoing lengthy or complex procedures, individuals with strong gag reflexes, or patients who cannot effectively receive other forms of sedation. Most interested patients end up being eligible for sedation, but it will still depend on your individual circumstances. You’ll always be carefully evaluated before being given any type of sedation, so if you’re curious to see if sedation dentistry might benefit you, your first step is speaking with your dentist.