Dental anxiety can create a huge obstacle to taking care of your teeth. Nearly a quarter of all patients skip their dental appointments because they fear the dentist, according to the American Dental Association. Thankfully, modern dentistry provides several solutions for finding peace of mind in the dental chair. IV sedation dentistry is just one of those options for easing your dental anxiety.

What Is IV Sedation Dentistry?

IV sedation is also referred to as conscious sedation; the goal of which is to help you feel relaxed during your appointment. Conscious sedation makes you less aware of your surroundings — including the dental procedure. It turns off the subconscious part of your mind that is fearful and allows the anesthesia to work well. You will still be able to respond to verbal commands and you should not need assistance maintaining regular breathing. Unlike other forms of sedation that are inhaled (like laughing gas) or taken in pill form, the dentist administers the sedation intravenously, which means through your vein. Dr. Strepka completed additional training with the University of Alabama Oral Surgery Residency program in order to offer this service. The ability to be completely relaxed is a luxury, one that we are proud to provide.