{"id":209,"date":"2020-09-27T16:56:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-27T16:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mydentalbellingham.com\/blog\/?p=209"},"modified":"2026-07-02T13:22:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T20:22:04","slug":"bellingham-sedation-dentist-iv-sedation-dentistry-candidate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mydentalbellingham.com\/blog\/bellingham-sedation-dentist-iv-sedation-dentistry-candidate\/","title":{"rendered":"Is IV Sedation Dentistry Right for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While most people aren\u2019t thrilled about visiting their dentist, they can accept that it\u2019s a necessary part of life. However, for some people, the very thought of getting dental work done fills them with an overwhelming sense of dread. Dental anxiety and dental phobia can keep you from getting the oral health care you need, which can lead to larger and more painful complications later. That\u2019s why your Bellingham sedation dentist offers a variety of calming sedation services<\/a> to help ease these fears. Read on to learn more about a powerful sedation method called IV sedation dentistry and how to tell if it\u2019s right for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Does IV Sedation Work?        <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As its name suggests, IV sedation involves administering an anti-anxiety medication into the blood. First, an intravenous drip is placed into the arm. Right away, the patient will begin to feel less anxious. Once they\u2019ve reached a deeper level of relaxation than can be achieved with nitrous oxide sedation or oral conscious sedation, their Bellingham dentist will begin their treatment. They\u2019ll keep a close eye on the patient\u2019s heart rate and breathing, and will be able to adjust the level of sedation at anytime to ensure they\u2019re as safe and comfortable as possible. The patient will remain conscious throughout the entire appointment, but they\u2019ll be unaware of the sights, sounds or feelings that usually bother them. Afterwards, they\u2019ll need a friend or family member to drive them home and are not likely to remember any of their visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Am I A Good Candidate for IV Sedation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of all the sedation dentistry options, IV sedation is the most powerful. It\u2019s typically recommended for those who have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n