Which type of sedative would you recommend?

[E.Gibson]

What sort of sedation would put me into a deeper sleep? I have quite a bad fear of the dentist and I don't like to think that I would be awake for any part of it if I can help it. Do you think IV sedation would be best for this?

I have never been sedated before, as I have been avoiding going to the dentist for two or three years but now I have no choice because some of my teeth are bad. Can I be sedated if it is just for an extraction?

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Hello,

Thanks for your post.

You can certainly be sedated for an extraction if you suffer with some level of dental phobia; lots of patients who are afraid of going to the dentist will take advantage of this kind of treatment to make the process run smoothly. You are right to suggest that IV sedation would be the most effective, but you should also consider your circumstances in general because if you have certain health conditions it might complicate the use of an IV sedative. Because intravenous sedation is introduced directly into your bloodstream, this presents another element of risk as your condition must be monitored carefully throughout the operation.

Fortunately, it's probable that your dentist and their assistants will be highly experienced with this kind of intravenous drug, so I don't think you are in any great danger if you choose to go down this route. Good luck with your surgery and I hope the experience changes how you view dental treatment for the future.