IV Sedation Dentistry in Raleigh, NC

Sedation helps you to relax and feel at peace

Dentist setting up IV sedation dentistry for a Garner area patientWe perform IV sedation dentistry at Tryon Family Dentistry because we understand that our patients may be fearful of going to the dentist because they fear any pain or discomfort associated with dental treatment.

What is IV Sedation?

Intravenous (IV) sedation refers to the administering of an anti-anxiety drug through the blood during your dental treatment. “Intravenous” means that the drug is put into a vein. This is done using a cannula called Venflon. The Venflon has a needle which is wrapped up with a tiny soft plastic tube. Once it has been inserted into the chosen site, the needle is then slid out, leaving the thin flexible tube in place. IV sedation dentistry is sometimes referred to as ‘twilight’ or ‘sleep’ dentistry. However, rather than putting you to sleep, the sedative helps you to relax and feel at peace. Compared to oral sedation dentistry, IV sedation is safer and more effective with less risk of side effects. At any time, an antidote can be administered to reverse the effects of the medications if necessary.

How will I feel during treatment?

During IV sedation, you will feel deeply relaxed and your anxiety will be greatly reduced. You will be less aware of what is happening, and you may feel sleepy. You will however be able to understand and respond to requests from your dentist, and you can let them know how you feel. Afterwards, you may not remember much (or anything) about the procedure.

What are the advantages of this treatment?

  • IV sedation tends to be the method of choice if you don’t want to be aware of the procedure.
  • It can make it easier to get quite a lot of dental work done in a quick and efficient manner.
  • The onset of action is very rapid, and drug dosage and level of sedation can be tailored to meet the individual’s needs. This is a huge advantage compared to oral sedation, where the effects can be very unreliable. IV sedation, on the other hand, is both vastly effective and highly reliable.
  • The maximum level of sedation which can be reached with IV is deeper than with oral or inhalation sedation.
  • The gag reflex is hugely diminished – people receiving IV sedation rarely experience difficulties with gagging.
  • Unlike general anesthesia, conscious IV sedation doesn’t really introduce any compromises per se in terms of carrying out the actual procedures, because you’re conscious and you can cooperate with instructions, and there is no airway tube involved.
  • Faster recovery with fewer side effects compared to oral sedation

Is Sedation Dentistry Right for Me?

Our Garner, NC based dental team will perform a complete evaluation and review of your medical history prior to recommending IV sedation dentistry. The treatment is safe and effective for most healthy adults (and even some children). You can always contact us for a consultation that you can trust.

Contraindications include:

  • Pregnancy
  • Allergies to specific medications (such as benzodiazepines, barbiturate, etc.)
  • Alcohol intoxication
  • Heart conditions
  • Central Nervous System (CNS) depression
★★★★★
“My dental assistant is Gloria, who is always super friendly, masterfully efficient and skilled, and amazing at answering all of my questions and anticipating anything out of the ordinary that Dr. Leo may need for his evaluation. Dr. Leo is my fabulous dentist who is also very friendly, skilled and efficient, takes whatever time is needed for my evaluation and questions, and provides honest assessment. He runs a high caliber business that has been consistently pleasant, remains way ahead of the technology, and the entire office is always extremely clean and bright. Highest regards and recommendations!”
- Jill Beavin
★★★★★
“I just moved to the area and needed to find a new dentist. After looking through tons of reviews, I settled on this dentist, and after my visit decided that this place will be my new go-to! The doctor was fantastic. Was so thorough, took the time to explain to me what was going on with my teeth, always checking to make sure that I was doing okay, and was so friendly and caring. I would recommend them to anyone. I’ll be back.”
- Ashley K.
★★★★★
“Staff is amazing. So gentle but very knowledgeable. Great experiences so far with cleanings and filling replacement.”
- Trish M.
★★★★★
“Thanks to our awesome patient Cheryl for taking the time to talk about us and our services. We are so glad to have you as a patient!”
- Cheryl
★★★★★
“I just left this dentist office and I am so impressed. I was able to complete all my paperwork online so I did not have to arrive early and I had only a short wait time once there. While there I learned of tools that I could use at home and even saw what my smile would look like with Invisalign. I walked away with a good experience and my treatment plan. Friendly staff, extremely clean and I felt thoroughly taken care of. Thank you Tryon Family Dentistry”
- Dre Haskins
★★★★★
“Another of our favorite patients, Jane, took the time to speak about our service and what it means to her. We truly do have the best patients and we very much appreciate each and every one of them.”
- Jane

The Latest in Aligner Technology

What Is Invisalign?

Instead of relying on metal brackets and wires to move teeth, Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners custom designed for each patient’s individual treatment plan. The aligners are designed to fit snugly over your teeth so they don’t interfere with your normal activities or your speech. Because they are clear, they are hardly noticeable and provide the utmost discretion during treatment.

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