Your comfort and experience are our priority; how sedation dentistry helps
Sedation dentistry is our priority at Downtown Dental Services. We understand that many patients from Cleveland, Northeast Ohio, and beyond have dental apprehension, anxiety, and fear. We also appreciate that many individuals may have more extensive or complex treatment needs. These and other situations call for a “helper” in the form of a relaxing medication, safely prescribed and administered by our dentist, Dr. Tony Lu.
How can I overcome my fear?
IV Conscious Sedation (Twilight Sedation) makes visits to the dentist fear-free, even enjoyable! It is to help you relax in the dental chair. Dr. Lu is pleased to introduce IV sedation for our patients who struggle to get and stay comfortable at the dentist’s office.
What is IV conscious sedation?
This versatile option allows Dr. Lu to carefully select the most appropriate sedative for your needs. The dosage of this medication can also be adjusted and tailored to each patient’s needs. This allows us to provide an appropriate level of sedation to make patients comfortable throughout the appointments!
Why is it called “conscious” sedation?
It is often referred to as “conscious” sedation because you remain just that: conscious but super relaxed throughout treatment! You can respond to Dr. Lu’s instructions, such as opening your mouth for dental procedures to be done properly. This approach does not put you “under,” though you may become so relaxed that you often doze off and fall asleep.
How does it work?
IV sedation involves delivering a relaxing medication directly into your bloodstream, or “intravenously.” The medication is introduced through an intravenous line in your arm. It is sometimes called “twilight sedation” because this method induces a semi-awake sleep state. Patients drift off into a relaxed state quickly, without a care in the world. After their comfortable appointment, they often have little to no recall of the process.
Why is IV sedation a good option?
IV sedation is typically reserved for our patients with dental fears, anxiety, and phobias. It may also be used if you have other severe challenges or complexities associated with treatment. For instance, it helps to relax patients with a severe gag reflex or intense tooth sensitivity. It also helps us to perform complex treatments (like the removal of multiple wisdom teeth) safely and efficiently.
Is IV sedation safe?
Of course! Dr. Lu wouldn’t provide a treatment if it wasn’t safe. Our highly qualified professionals monitor your vital signs throughout treatment. The dose or level of sedation can also be adjusted throughout your treatment. These elements support your comfort and confidence in this procedure. The methods used to fight your dental fear should not cause additional concern and distress!
How should I prepare for my appointment?
You must arrange for reliable transportation, because the medications that we use for sedation dentistry are associated with lingering drowsiness and other effects on motor skills and cognition. Also, be prepared to rest or otherwise take it easy for the rest of the day. Don’t do anything strenuous. Refrain from making important decisions. Be kind to yourself!
How can I find out more about sedation dentistry?
We welcome the opportunity to help you overcome the fears and any challenges that may stand between you and the dental services necessary to have your healthiest, best-looking smile. Call (216) 616-1155 to schedule your consultation at Downtown Dental Services today. Our office is conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Cleveland, OH, right next to Playhouse Square.
IV Sedation & PRF for Wisdom Teeth: A Smooth, Comfortable Experience
Thank you, Quentin, for agreeing to tell our other patients about your recent experience.
Absolutely.
So we did an IV sedation, and we did a PRF, and we took your wisdom teeth out. Absolutely, yes.
Last Friday.
Last Friday, five days ago.
Yeah, so you look really great now. Do you mind just sharing your experience?
Yeah, definitely.
We came in on Friday morning, and I didn’t really know what to expect. Getting all four wisdom teeth taken out, but the whole process was extremely efficient and almost painless.
I see.
But ultimately, within maybe 45-50 minutes, I had the sedation, which was very easy and seamless. And right before then, you took a little bit of blood for your PRF. And by the time that I woke up, I felt like, you know, there were more procedures to be done, but it was already all done.
So it was a very seamless procedure, and even within the next 24-36 hours, I felt like the pain went away very quickly. And I was back to normal very quickly.
That’s awesome. You see, you had a really quick recovery, I feel, partly because we did this PRF procedure. You know, the PRF, what we did, we took your blood, we spun down the blood cells, but we took the growth factor, the platelets. We put it back in the tooth extraction site.
That’s right. It really made the recovery really fast. Because normally, for four wisdom teeth, it’s going to take you probably a couple of weeks to feel better.
But this is not even one week, right?
I hadn’t heard of PRF before, but I’m glad you recommended it because, again, I got back to normal really quickly. I’m glad I’m not out of commission for a few weeks.
Yeah, and the sedation worked really well for you.
You see, and during the sedation, how do you feel? You feel so comfortable, right?
Yes, very comfortable.
And you mentioned something like, it feels like I had nine packs of beer.
I guess so, I guess so.
You don’t remember, right?
I don’t remember at all.
You’re the first one to tell me that.
I don’t have a reaction, but ultimately, yeah, it felt good.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
Absolutely, thank you.
No pain, much gain: Enhance healing after wisdom teeth removal
Dr. Lu: Drew, thank you so much for agreeing to talk about your recent procedure with us.
Patient: Okay.
Dr. Lu: Yeah. That’ll help our other patients. So we did an IV sedation for you, right? We took out all four wisdom teeth, and also we did a PRF. We drew blood and then put growth factors back in the extraction socket. I think you just did the follow-up appointment. I think everything went really well.
Patient: Right.
Dr. Lu: Could you talk a little bit about the procedure that day: how you felt, stuff like that?
Patient: Yeah, so it went great. Dr. Lu is the best right here.
Dr. Lu: Oh, thank you so much.
Patient: I actually just started coming to Downtown Dental. I really wanted to get my wisdom teeth out, so I reached out, and they were quick with setting up appointments, getting x-rays, and everything with my teeth, and then put a plan out in front of me and gave all the sheet and info I needed, and then that day I got here, they made me comfortable. I got sedated and everything.
Dr. Lu: Yeah, we put IV right? You were really comfortable.
Patient: Yeah, very comfortable.
Dr. Lu: And then we got the teeth out.
Patient: And then, got all the teeth out very clean and got me on my way that day. Very happy. And since then, it went great. I’m only a week out, and I’ve had very minimal pain.
Dr. Lu: Yeah. I think one thing, if you remember, we drew blood from you when we did the IV sedation. Spin down the blood. We take the growth factor called the PRF. So, the PRF, we put it back in the extraction socket, and that really speeds up the recovery. So, I was telling you, according to my experience, it usually takes three or four weeks for people to recover. But one week after everything is good for you.
Patient: I think it worked wonders. I’m really happy to see the results.
Dr. Lu: Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
Patient: Thank you.
Overcoming Dental Anxiety: Zoe's IV Sedation Experience
Thank you so much Zoe for agreeing to talk with us about the experience of IV sedation, so all other patients can know the whole process. So we did the sedation appointment two weeks ago.
And actually, when I first met you in the office, you were super nervous about dental procedures. So you said you’re afraid of needles.
Yeah, just the unknown, everything going on around me.
And also you mentioned you have some bad experience before with dental work, right?
That makes you really anxious about having dental treatment and then we decided to do the IV sedation for you.
I think it worked really, really well.
Really well, yeah.
So on the day of the sedation, you probably don’t remember much. We started the IV on your arm, then we gave you the medicine, and you were just so relaxed, asleep.
Asleep, yeah.
Yes. You took a nap, right?
Yes, I did.
Yeah. Sometimes when you see, I imagine when you see the patient so comfortable in the chair. I wish I was the one in the chair. Yeah. Never again. Never had it on myself, but the procedure went really well.
So you didn’t feel much during the whole process, right? Altogether, yeah. After the sedation appointment. You went home, and most people take a nap.
Yeah, I went right to sleep.
It worked really well. And for sedation, you are so comfortable. Then, when you come back for other treatment, naturally, you are more relaxed.
Even if you don’t do sedation for minor things. It worked really well. I’m so glad. It worked really well.
I was nervous. Even just when I originally came here, just over the x-ray going in my mouth and all that, even scared me. But after I went through all that with the sedation, stuff like that, it didn’t even scare me.
I see. That’s awesome. Okay. Again, thank you so much.
A smooth recovery: Tackle your nerves with the IV sedation process
Mr. Hill, thank you so much for agreeing to show our patients how this procedure goes. We did some treatments under IV sedation. We talked a little bit about this. I know initially that you were super nervous, right?
Yes, I was extremely nervous, but it was very comfortable. Very comfortable experience. I would recommend it to anyone. I was a bit nervous to do the twilight sedation. It was actually very comfortable.
So you were doing some research, right?
On my phone, yes. Questioning, because I was so nervous up to the time when I got the appointment, until I actually got the procedure done. So after you got me to calm down, it was fine.
I know you were super nervous.
Yes, extremely.
Yeah, and that way I started the IV, right? I remember when I started to give you the medicine, you just calmed down. Everything was comfortable.
I don’t remember.
You don’t remember anything, right? Yeah. So we did the surgery, and everything went well. And you went home. How was the recovery? Probably too much good.
I wasn’t sitting there, but I was eating solid food on the same day.
Did you take a nap after that?
Just for a little while. Yeah. But I was up; it basically wore off when I got home. Yeah. It was a pleasant experience.
That’s really awesome. Okay. Thank you so much. Okay.
Yeah. I recommend it.
Overcoming needles and nerves: Reflections on IV sedation and healing
Dr. Lu: Okay. Thank you so much for agreeing to talk about your experience. We did IV sedation for you, and then we took your wisdom teeth out last year.
Patient: Yeah.
Dr. Lu: Okay.
Dr. Lu: Could you talk about your experience?
Patient: Yes. So I was very nervous about the procedure. I don’t like needles at all.
Dr. Lu: Nobody likes needles.
Patient: Yeah, I understand that. And everything went very well. You guys gave me some anti-anxiety medication for the morning off. And when I came here, I was already sort of grooving – all good. And then the room was actually pretty comfortable. The lights were down. They put a blanket on me. Sunglasses too. And everything went really well. My partner was able to be in the room with me, although she didn’t do as well as I did.
Dr. Lu: Yeah. So she passed out, right? You were okay.
Patient: My partner passed out.
Dr. Lu: So you in the needle. Yeah. That’s Funny. By the way, took care of both of you guys, right?
Patient: Yes. Everything went really well.
Dr. Lu: So we started IV, we put you to sleep, right?
Patient: Yes.
Dr. Lu: That part you don’t remember the surgery part, right?
Patient: Right. I remember in and out. In and out.
Dr. Lu: So, half asleep.
Patient: Yeah.
Dr. Lu: We took the other wisdom teeth out. How was the recovery after that?
Patient: The recovery went really, really well. First day, I was just mainly sleeping. And then a bit of some soreness.
Dr. Lu: I see.
Patient: But then it went honestly so, so well. In two days, I was able to talk and…
Dr. Lu: I see. Awesome. Yeah, I’m glad. Okay.
Patient: Yeah.
Dr. Lu: Again, thank you so much for sharing your experience.
