What is Intravenous Sedation?

Intravenous (Sleep) Sedation is the state-of-the-art technique for the comprehensive control of pain and anxiety in dentistry. Intravenous (IV) Sedation uses sedative drugs that are delivered through the blood stream. Intravenous Sedation's superior results make it the method of choice for the treatment of the highly fearful patient and those patients that want to be very comfortable during treatment. Because of the kinds of drugs used and the method of their delivery, IV Sedation allows the dentist to control the drugs' effects precisely. The history of IV Sedation goes back to the 1960's, at the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Since this time there have been many different drugs and techniques used. With these advancements, the safety record of Intravenous Sedation has continued to improve.

Regulation of Intravenous Sedation

The use of IV Sedation in dentistry is carefully regulated (see regulations) by the Dental Board of California. To perform these advanced sedative techniques, special university training and clinical experience are required. The educational standards are set by the American Dental Association's "Guidelines for Teaching the Comprehensive Control of Anxiety and Pain in Dentistry." The educational and special equipment requirements are so stringent that less than 1% of general dentists in California have a permit to perform the procedures. Prior to the issuance of a Conscious Sedation Permit, the office must be specially equipped with emergency equipment and drugs. An in-office inspection is required of each dentist issued a permit. Dr. Gagne has been granted a Conscious Sedation Permit to perform this advanced sedative technique. The office has state-of-the-art patient monitoring equipment to assure your comfort and safety during sedation. The office contains more emergency equipment and drugs than required by law, and the staff constantly trains to provide the highest level of sedation care possible.

Is IV Sedation safe?

Dr. Stanley Malamed, Professor of Anesthesia and Medicine at the University of Southern Calfiornia School of Dentistry and a nationally known expert on dental sedation calls IV Sedation one of the safest of all sedative techniques. "While any sedative technique carries a degree of risk, the drugs used and their slow delivery, accompanied by modern monitoring equipment, make IV Sedation extremely safe. After personally supervising over 3,000 sedations at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry," Malamed reported, "complications arising during sedation were less than 0.3 %, and even those were minor." Since our office does many sedations per month, we constantly train to be ready for any occurrence. Each assistant is certified in Basic Life Support by the American Heart Association. As a special note, as of February 2001, the Dental Board of California reported that there have been no deaths linked to dental sedation in the last ten years. Truly a testimonial to the safety of these techniques and drugs.