IV
Sedation
Dentistry
Helping you overcome dental anxiety safely and effectively.
IV sedation at our Calgary dentist office.
Safe and effective sedation to help overcome your dental anxiety.
IV (intravenous) sedation dentistry involves the IV administration of sedation medication. IV sedation can achieve a deeper level of sedation (a moderate level) than does oral sedation (a minimal level of sedation). Most patients respond favourably to IV sedation. IV sedation at the office of Dr. Dirk Thompson is performed by a visiting general Calgary dentist who is duly qualified and permitted by the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta to administer IV sedation while Dr. Dirk Thompson performs your dental treatment.
IV sedation may be a preferred method of sedation for you if:
you have extensive dental work to be done
you suffer from severe dental phobia
you have a strong gag reflex
you have had prior difficult experiences with local anaesthetic
oral sedation has previously failed to achieve the desired level of sedation
you suffer from severe dental phobia
oral sedation is not recommended for medical or other reasons
Questions about IV sedation dentistry?
Ready to schedule your personal consultation appointtent?
Our Calgary dentist team is here for you.
What Are the Steps For IV Sedation Dentistry?
Your consultation
appointment with our Calgary dentist.
The first step towards getting the dental work you need, comfortably and with less fear and anxiety, is making your personalized IV sedation dentistry consultation appointment with our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson. At this appointment, Dr. Thompson will thoroughly explain the process of IV sedation and will answer all of your questions so you feel comfortable that IV sedation dentistry is the right choice for you.
Our Calgary dentist will also ensure that you are an appropriate candidate for IV sedation by assessing the factors below.
your age
your BMI (body mass index)
your past and current medical history
your overall oral health
your dental health
any allergies you may have
your previous experiences with sedation
your medication use
your expectations for the level of sedation to be achieved
After considering all of these factors, our Calgary dentist will make a recommendation regarding whether you are an appropriate candidate for IV sedation. If you are not, other sedation modalities may be suggested.
Preparation for your IV sedation dentistry appointment.
In preparation for your IV sedation dentistry appointment, our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, will provide you with written information including IV sedation preparation instructions, consent for IV sedation, as well as instructions and information regarding your care and recovery after your IV sedation appointment.
Some important preparation steps include the following:
Carefully follow all pre-sedation instructions. Failure to follow all pre-sedation instructions may result in rescheduling of your appointment by our Calgary dentist for your safety.
Carefully follow all fasting instructions provided.
Avoid or refrain from eating the foods and drinks outlined in the pre-sedation instructions.
Avoid the medications outlined in the pre-sedation instructions for the prescribed period.
Reschedule your IV sedation dentistry appointment if you are not healthy on the day of your IV sedation appointment.
Ensure you have arranged an escort to bring you home after your sedation dentistry appointment and stay with you until fully recovered.
Arrange your schedule so that you do not have to perform certain activities after your sedation dentistry appointment (eg work, drive, care for children).
your past and current medical history
Your IV sedation dentistry appointment.
Your IV sedation appointment will begin in our spacious and comfortable dental suite. Once our sedation dentistry team members have helped you to rest comfortably with a warm and cozy blanket, our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, and the IV providing general dentist will again review your health and dental information.
After you your vital signs are taken and you are connected to a vital sign monitor, you will be given the IV sedative by the duly qualified IV providing general dentist which will cause you to fall asleep so that your scheduled dental work can be completed safely and comfortably.
During your sedation dentistry procedure, your pulse, blood pressure and vital signs will be continually monitored by our sedation dentistry team members.
After your IV sedation dentistry appointment.
After your dental treatment has been completed and prior to being discharged, your vital signs will be again assessed to ensure that you have sufficiently recovered from the effects of the oral sedation. Your escort will be provided with written post-IV sedation instructions as well as our Calgary dentist’s cell phone number so you can reach him after regular business hours in the event you have any concerns whatsoever.
Here is some important information to know following your oral sedation appointment.
Prior to being discharged, our Calgary dentist will provide you and your escort with post-IV sedation instructions. These instructions will also be provided to you prior to your IV sedation dentistry appointment so you will know what to expect.
Do not plan to drive home, walk or take a bus following your IV sedation dentistry appointment. Arrangements for an escort to take you home and stay with you until the effects of the oral sedation have worn off must be made prior to your IV sedation appointment.
Plan to rest or sleep after your IV sedation dentistry appointment. You may need to also take the next off so you should make any necessary arrangements in the event you need another day to recover from the effects of the IV sedation medication and/or dental treatment.
If you have any concerns whatsoever after arriving home, call our Calgary dentist office or our emergency dentist in Calgary phone number provided to you and/or your escort.
- Not sure which type of sedation dentistry is right for you?
If you are unsure about what type of sedation dentistry is right for you, our Calgary dentist is pleased to offer complimentary sedation dentistry consultation appointments. Call our office for more information and to book your sedation dentistry consultation. You can also read more about both oral and IV sedation dentistry below.
RELAX.
We're Judgment Free.
If you’ve been procrastinating getting dental treatment done due to anxiety about what your dental team may think or, if you just hate going to the dentist, it’s OK – we get it.
At Advance Your Health Dental, our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, and his entire dental team understand dental anxiety and believe in judgment free dental care. Our team is also committed to providing your dental treatment in a relaxed, no-pressure and positive atmosphere. Our understanding and compassionate Calgary dentist team always encourages open and candid conversations about your oral health. We’re also committed to ensuring your complete satisfaction at every dental visit because to us, your smile is everything.
Let’s start your journey to better oral health, together. Call us today. We’re here for you when you’re ready.
Things To Think About
Before Sedation
follow all instructions
There are important steps you must take in preparation for IV sedation, including fasting for a specified period of time. Following fasting instructions is imperative as if you do not fast as instructed by Dr. Dirk Thompson, our Calgary dentist, for your safety, your appointment will have to be rescheduled.
During Sedation
know what to expect
Although IV sedation provides a deeper level of sedation than oral sedation, it is not a general anaesthetic and does not
provide the same level of sedation as does a general anaesthetic. For more information about what to expect, call our Calgary dentist office for your consulation appointment.
After Sedation
plan ahead
You must arrange for someone to take you home and stay with you after your sedation appointment with our Calgary dentist until the effects of the IV sedation have worn off. You should also plan to have help and not go to work or school the next day as you may need a day or two to recover from the effects of the IV sedation medication.
