The deepest level of sedation we offer, adjusted throughout your visit. Often chosen for longer or more involved treatment at our Hillcrest office.
IV Sedation Dentistry in San Diego, CA
Deep Relaxation
Monitored Safety
Same-Day Consults
IV sedation delivers calming medication through a small line in your arm or hand. Within minutes you feel deeply relaxed and drowsy, and many patients remember little of the procedure afterward. You are not put under general anesthesia. You keep breathing on your own and can respond when spoken to.
At Sunrise Dental Arts, IV sedation is the strongest of our three sedation dentistry options, alongside nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation. Patients often choose it for longer visits such as implant surgery or wisdom tooth removal, or when dental fear is strong enough that a lighter option has not been enough. Dr. Andy Keith will review your health history and help you decide whether it fits.
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How IV Sedation Works
Because the medication goes straight into the bloodstream, it starts working quickly and the dose can be increased gradually until you reach the right level of calm. That is the main difference from a sedation pill, which takes longer to kick in and cannot be fine-tuned once it is swallowed.
A review of dental sedation techniques published by the National Library of Medicine notes that IV sedation is commonly used for highly anxious patients because of its rapid onset, the ability to adjust the medication quickly, and a longer period of amnesia. Local anesthetic is still used to numb the area being treated, so the sedation handles the anxiety while the numbing handles the discomfort.
Who Chooses IV Sedation
IV sedation is not only for people with severe fear. These are the situations where it tends to make the most sense.
- Strong dental anxiety. If past visits have been overwhelming or you have avoided care for years, deeper sedation can make treatment possible.
- Longer surgical procedures. Dental implant placement, wisdom tooth removal, and other tooth extractions are easier to sit through when you are deeply relaxed.
- A sensitive gag reflex. Deep relaxation can make it easier to tolerate work toward the back of the mouth.
- Catching up on several treatments. Combining work such as fillings and root canal therapy into one longer visit can mean fewer trips to the office.
IV sedation is not the right fit for everyone. Some health conditions, medications, or pregnancy may point toward a lighter option, which is why we review your medical history before recommending it.
Preparing for and Recovering From IV Sedation
Before your visit, we give you written instructions, which usually include not eating or drinking for a set number of hours and guidance on your regular medications. Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that roll up easily, and arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you afterward.
At the appointment, a small IV is placed and the medication is given slowly until you are relaxed. We monitor your breathing and vital signs throughout treatment and while you recover in the office. Once you go home, plan to rest for the remainder of the day and avoid driving, alcohol, and important decisions until the next day, since drowsiness can linger for hours.
Meet the Team
Dr. Andy Keith and our team take time to learn your concerns, preferences, and goals before treatment begins, and that matters even more when anxiety is part of the picture. As your Hillcrest dentist, we keep sedation visits calm and organized from check-in to recovery.
We explain each step in plain language, answer questions before the medication starts, and never rush a patient who needs a moment. That steady pace is a big part of what makes a sedation visit feel manageable.
Services
Our Sunrise Dental Arts Care Process
- Initial Consultation
- Customized Treatment Plan
- Implementation of Treatment
- Aftercare & Maintenance Tips
- Follow-Up
Initial Consultation
Your first visit starts with a conversation about what worries you and what needs to be done. Dr. Keith examines your teeth, takes X-rays, and reviews your medical history and current medications to see whether IV sedation is a safe fit.
Customized Treatment Plan
We map out which procedures can be completed during the sedation visit, about how long it should take, and what it will cost. You also receive instructions about eating, drinking, and medications before the appointment, along with a reminder to arrange a driver.
Implementation of Treatment
On treatment day, a small IV is placed and the medication is given gradually until you feel deeply relaxed. Local anesthetic numbs the area being treated, and our team monitors you from start to finish.
Aftercare & Maintenance Tips
Expect to feel drowsy for the rest of the day. Rest at home with someone nearby, and avoid driving and alcohol until the next day. We send you home with care instructions for the specific treatment you had.
Follow-Up
We schedule any follow-up your treatment calls for, such as a healing check after an extraction or implant placement. If more work is needed later, we can plan it around the same sedation approach.
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IV Sedation Compared With Lighter Options
Nitrous oxide is the lightest choice and wears off within minutes. Oral conscious sedation goes deeper, but the pill takes time to work and its effect cannot be adjusted once it is taken. IV sedation reaches the deepest relaxation of the three and can be adjusted as the visit goes on.
The trade-off is more preparation, including fasting, an IV line, a driver, and a day of rest. If your anxiety is mild or your visit is short, a lighter option may be all you need, and we will tell you so.
Questions About IV Sedation
Will I Be Unconscious During IV Sedation?
No. IV sedation is a form of conscious sedation, not general anesthesia. You breathe on your own and can respond to simple requests, but you feel very relaxed and drowsy, and many patients remember little of the procedure.
How Long Does It Take IV Sedation to Wear Off?
The strongest effects fade within a few hours, but drowsiness and slower reflexes can last the rest of the day. Plan to rest at home and do not drive until the next day.
Can I Eat Before IV Sedation?
Usually you will be asked to stop eating and drinking for a set number of hours before your appointment. We give you exact instructions ahead of time, including which of your regular medications to take.
Does Getting the IV Hurt?
Most people feel a brief pinch when the small IV is placed, and the medication starts working soon after. If needles are a big part of your fear, tell us ahead of time so we can talk through ways to make placement easier.
Is IV Sedation Covered by Insurance?
It depends on your plan and the procedure. Some PPO plans pay toward IV sedation for certain surgical treatments, while others do not. We check your benefits before your visit, and Cherry and CareCredit financing can help with any remaining cost.
Find Out If IV Sedation Is Right for You at Sunrise Dental Arts
If fear or a long procedure has kept you from getting care, a short conversation about IV sedation is a good place to start. We are in-network with Delta Dental and can bill most other PPO plans out-of-network. We also offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit.
Request an appointment or call (619) 291-2980, and let us know you would like to talk about sedation. We will review your health history and help you choose the option that fits.
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