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IV SEDATION
Intravenous sedation is administered into a vein, usually in the back of the hand or the arm.
Intravenous sedation is also known as conscious sedation or moderate sedation. It is an
effective form of sedation with a high safety record and success rate. It is used for relieving
anxiety and fear for nervous patients during medical and dental procedures. It will keep you
calm, drowsy, at ease with having the treatment and will also, in most cases, make you
forget all of what is going on around you. Due to this degree of amnesia (memory loss),
most patients who have had intravenous conscious sedation think that they have been
completely unconscious. This is, of course, not true, since general anaesthesia is no longer
allowed outside of operating theatres in hospitals.
During sedation, the dentist will be able to communicate with you but may not remember
much or anything at all after the effects of the drugs wear off. Your vital signs like blood
pressure, breathing and pulse will be monitored. Your protective reflexes, for example
coughing and swallowing should still work efficiently.
Who can benefit from intravenous sedation?

Patients with a moderate, high or very high anxiety

Patients who undergo difficult procedures

Patients who gag easily
Who is not suitable for intravenous dental sedation outside of a hospital
setting?

Pregnant women

Patients with BMI > 32

Patients with complicated medical histories or patients who are taking certain
medications

Patients under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs
Advantages and disadvantages of intravenous sedation
Advantages:

Rapid onset

Good sedative effect

Good amnesia (useful when you do not want to remember the dental procedure)

Possibility of increasing the level the sedation in a controlled way

Possibility of maintaining the level of sedation for longer procedures by
administering small amounts of sedative in a controlled way

Reduced risk of overdose compared to drugs taken orally

Generally faster and easier recovery compared to general anaesthesia

Generally fewer and less serious side effects postoperatively compared to general
anaesthesia

Possibility of reversal in case of emergencies. Reversal of sedation by using a reversal
drug can only be done in some instances. Your dentist/seditionist can give you more
information.
Disadvantages:

Will need to use a vein to administer the drug. This can worry needle phobic patients
even more.

Occasionally though rare, we may not be able to locate a suitable vein.
There are solutions for severely needle phobic patients who can be treated either by
distraction during insertion of the needle, by applying an anaesthetic cream on the injection
site or by administering gas and air whilst the needle is inserted into the vein.
Important steps to follow if you want to have intravenous sedation

Always give an accurate medical history

Follow the fasting arrangements on the sedation day

Arrange for a responsible adult to escort you to and from the surgery, preferably by
car. They will also need to look after you for some time after the procedure as you
may be a little unsteady and forgetful.

Plan your day to avoid activities which may be adversely affected by your decreased
level of consciousness, this will be recorded in the post-operative advice given
Possible side effects of intravenous sedation
All medicines have effects and side effects. The drugs used for sedation are no exceptions.
Fortunately, these side effects are very rare according to existing reports. In the case of
intravenous sedation, the side effects can be linked to the need of administering the
sedative drug/drugs into a vein or to the drug itself.
Side effects/complications with venepuncture (putting a needle into a vein) or cannulation
(putting a thin flexible plastic tube (cannula) into a vein)

Bruising at the site of the injection- this may happen to all of us from time to time.
Patients with brittle veins or patients with veins which are difficult to find may suffer
more with this. It is not usually painful and may only present with a bruise for a week
or two.

Inflammation of the vein- the vein can become red, warm, painful and hardened.
Most cases will resolve by themselves but you should call us and ask for advice if this
happens.
Other side effects- Drug related side effects

Small risk of not being able to achieve the appropriate level of sedation with
Midazolam alone in recommended doses in some patients. (remember the majority
will respond very well)

Hyperactivity, sexual fantasies
The safety record of Midazolam is very good when used intravenously in slowly
administered doses in healthy patients or in patients with mild diseases. As with all drugs,
there is a risk of side effects. This risk increase in elderly and in patients with more serious
conditions, especially if they are taking other drugs. It is therefore important that all
patients present an accurate and complete medical history. All drugs and conditions should
be presented, including herbal medicines and recreational drugs.
Very rare side effects are:

Unintended loss of consciousness

Prolonged drowsiness or dizziness

Prolonged loss of memory (usually this would last for 1-2 hours but in some rare
cases it could last longer)

Headaches

Depressed breathing
What are the steps involved in having intravenous sedation?
 We need to assess your suitability. You will need to complete a medical
questionnaire and a dental anxiety questionnaire.
 You will need to follow dietary recommendations
 You will need to arrange for a responsible adult to take from the surgery and look
after you on the day of the sedation.
 Plan your day so the effects of the sedation does not interfere in any negative way
 During your sedation we will monitor your blood pressure, level of oxygen in your
blood, breathing, level of sedation and signs of discomfort
 You will be discharged when you are physically fit
More on the types of sedation available
We offer a range of techniques to support nervous patients. For more information on the
types of sedation available please use the links below.
Light sedation
IV sedation
Oral sedation
Gas and air