IV Sedation: Minimizing Pain During Dental Implant Surgery

Dr. Michael Sonick is a full time practicing periodontist and implant surgeon in Fairfield, Connecticut. He is also an active teacher, clinical researcher and author. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and on the Editorial Board of Contemporary Esthetics and Restorative Practice. He currently is a Guest Lecturer at New York University School of Dentistry in their international dental program and was previously a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at Yale University School of Medicine.

Osseonews (ON): Dr. Sonick why do you have an anesthesiologist come to your office to run the IV sedations on your patients? It would be more cost effective for you to supervise the IV sedation while placing the implants.

Dr. Sonick: In my experience, running the IV sedation and placing the implants cannot adequately be accomplished by one provider. IV sedation really should be accomplished by one provider who can focus solely on the management of the patient. IV sedation is a very safe procedure with low mortality and morbidity when performed by a well-trained anestheologist in an appropriately equipped setting. The surgeon needs to concentrate on placing the implants. The anesthesiologist concentrates on the sedation. Implant surgery is often extensive and time consuming. I do not know how one practitioner could perform the surgery and the management of the patient with the same degree of skill. Teamwork between surgeon and anesthesiologist produces the most predictable and safest means for surgical implant therapy.

ON: What kind of feedback do you get from your patients about the anesthesiologist running the IV sedation?

Dr. Sonick: Many patients feel more secure with an anesthesiologist. I find that patients seem to be a bit more amenable to agreeing to the IV sedation when they understand that a physician will be providing this service. I think many patients also understand that with this arrangement, I a can focus all my attention on their surgery.

ON: With IV sedation, can you generally place all the implants a patient needs in a large case?

Dr. Sonick: This is one of the greatest advantages of IV sedation. You can place as many implants as you need in one visit. Oftentimes, procedures can run four hours. I can not see putting a patient through this much surgery without IV sedation.

ON: What kind of feedback do you get from your patients regarding IV sedation and patient comfort?

Dr. Sonick: They love it. IV sedation puts them at ease and makes the surgical placement of implants far less threatening. Many patients resist getting implants because they are scared of pain. Plain and simple, IV sedation eliminates that problem and significantly increases patient acceptance of the treatment plan. The most frequent question I am asked is “How much will it hurt to get the implants”. With IV sedation I can make a strong case for minimal pain.