How does Intravenous Sedation work?

Intravenous Sedation allows patients to have most dental procedures completed without apprehension and without any recall of the procedure.  Many of you have received intravenous sedation for medical endoscopy procedures such as colonoscopies, so you may already be familiar with the procedure.  We feel that intravenous sedation offers the patient a superior level of comfort and safety than other methods of sedation.

With intravenous sedation you will be asked to come to your appointment having nothing to eat or drink for the last 8 hours.  You must be escorted by an adult who will be able to escort you home. You will not be able to drive for the remainder of the day after your “IV” appointment.  You should wear comfortable clothing with a short sleeve shirt or blouse.  Other “IV” instructions will be reviewed prior to your appointment.

When you arrive one of the “IV” team members will escort you to your treatment room and review your medical history and medications.  She will then connect you to a series of monitors that will measure your heart rate, “EKG”, blood pressure and oxygen saturation.   Dr. Argeros will then come in to place your “IV” line and start your sedation appointment.  The intravenous line will allow for the correct level of sedation to be maintained as well as offering an important safety feature.

 Dr. Argeros and his “IV” team have been practicing “Sedation Dentistry” since 1977, and are fully licensed by the state of Massachusetts.  Dr. Argeros is a past president of the Massachusetts Dental Society of Anesthesiology.