IV sedation is conscious sedation given through a small line in your arm. You breathe on your own and most patients remember little or nothing. Dr. Jennifer Okhiria has given thousands of sedations and runs IV sedation herself at The Buckhead Oral Surgery Suite in Atlanta.
Safety first, then comfort
Is IV sedation the same as general anesthesia?
No. With IV sedation you are deeply relaxed and breathing on your own. General anesthesia puts you fully to sleep and needs a breathing tube. Most wisdom teeth and implant surgeries only need IV sedation.
Who can have IV sedation in the office?
Healthy patients with few medical issues. Dr. Okhiria reviews your full medical history before offering it. "I don't take risk. If I feel like something is risky, I'm not going to do it."
How do you prepare for problems?
You're monitored the whole time. The team checks the equipment and emergency drugs every week and every month, and runs mock emergency drills every quarter. As Dr. Okhiria puts it, "It's not about what happens when things go right. It's more about what happens when things go wrong."
What do I need to do before and after?
You'll get eating and drinking instructions before your appointment. An adult must drive you home and should stay with you for the rest of the day. No driving or important decisions until the next day.
Honest limits
If sedation in the office isn't safe for you, we'll say so. The other options are having an anesthesiologist come in for the procedure, or doing it in a hospital.
Cost and scheduling
IV sedation is billed separately and is listed on your printed estimate. Some plans cover part of it for certain procedures.
Questions patients ask about IV sedation
Will I remember the surgery?
Most patients remember little or nothing with IV sedation, even though they're breathing on their own the whole time. Some remember arriving and waking up in recovery. Dr. Okhiria in Atlanta adjusts the level of sedation throughout the procedure to keep you comfortable.
Can I eat before IV sedation?
No. You'll get specific instructions about when to stop eating and drinking before your appointment. An empty stomach is an important safety step for sedation. Please follow the instructions from our Atlanta office exactly, and call us if you have questions.
How long does it take to wear off?
You'll feel drowsy for several hours afterward, which is why an adult must drive you home and stay with you. Most people feel back to normal by the next day. Don't drive, work or make big decisions until then, per our Atlanta team's instructions.
Is IV sedation safe?
For healthy patients it's very safe in trained hands. Dr. Okhiria reviews your full medical history, monitors you throughout, and her Atlanta team runs quarterly emergency drills. If your health makes office sedation risky, she'll arrange a hospital or anesthesiologist instead.
Can I take my regular medications?
Usually yes, but some medications need to be adjusted before sedation. Bring your full medication list to the consult. Dr. Okhiria in Atlanta will tell you exactly what to take and what to hold on the day of surgery, in writing.
Request a consult
Send a request and our team will call you to find a time. Most patients come with a referral from their dentist, and you're welcome without one.