Overview
Our general dentist, Dr. Patrick B. Toms, is certified to administer intravenous (IV) sedation for our patients in Gainesville, GA. Are you a patient who would benefit from anti-anxiety medication administered directly into your bloodstream? If so, IV sedation may help you stay relaxed and calm throughout your dental treatments. The dental team at Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D. will monitor your vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation) closely. While you may think that you slept through the treatment, but the truth is, you will be able to respond to our directives and remain comfortable. We may also adjust the amount of medication flowing through the IV based upon what you need and to ensure your safety. To find out more about IV sedation, please contact our office for a consultation.
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Best Candidates
The best candidates for intravenous sedation are dental patients who experience anxiety about undergoing extensive dental treatments. If you have avoided having dental work done (like a root canal or wisdom teeth extraction) because of the stress that it provokes, then you may be considered for IV sedation. In your treatment planning with Dr. Toms, he will go over the pros and cons of each sedation technique with you. We want you to be happy with your choice and are here to listen to your concerns during your consultation.
What To Expect
To receive intravenous sedation, a needle will be placed inside a vein in your arm. A sedative will be administered into your bloodstream. You will start to notice the effects in a few seconds. Dr. Toms will then carry out the dental work you need. Meanwhile, Dr. Toms and his dental assistants will monitor your blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation to make sure you are safe throughout. After the treatment is complete, the IV will be taken out and you wake up in recovery. Visit the following link to learn more about what to expect with IV sedation.
Recovery
It's advised that you do not operate a vehicle for a period of 24-hours after IV sedation, and you should arrange for a responsible adult to drive you to our office and drive you home. You might feel exhausted for the remainder of the day, so we recommend that you drink plenty of water, relax, and sleep it off if at all possible. Sometimes, our patients report that they become nauseous or experience temporary memory loss after IV sedation. These symptoms will typically fade away within 24 hours. Please call our office if you need assistance or have a question about the response you are having to the medication.
Insurance Coverage
Intravenous sedation might or might not be covered by dental insurance. Before approving the sedation, our billing staff will get in touch with your insurance provider to ascertain any out-of-pocket expense for IV sedation. Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D. also offers financial planning and payment alternatives to make this sedation affordable.
Choose a sedation dentist
Going to the dentist should be a pleasant or at least a tolerable situation. By using IV sedation, you can endure your dental work without the stress and anxiety of being "awake" during your time in the dental chair. Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D. is proud to offer you this option to our Gainesville, GA patients. If would like to learn more about Dr. Toms and his sedation methods, then contact our Gainesville, GA office.
