Intravenous Sedation (“Twilight Sedation”)

Our office offers our patients the option of Intravenous Sedation, also referred to as Dental Intravenous Anesthesia, or “Twilight Sedation,” for their dental treatment.  This is our most thorough and predictable type of sedation.  Dr. Marley has pursued additional training and licensure in order to be able to provide this service in Sitka.  He holds parenteral sedation permit #74 from the Alaska Board of Dentistry and maintains ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life support) certification   If you choose the option of intravenous sedation your IV sedation/anesthesia is administered and monitored by Dr. Marley.  Our goal for this level of sedation is for our patients to simply not remember their dental procedure.  Patients must be over the age of 13 in order to be a candidate for IV sedation.

How is the IV Sedation Administered?

A thin tube, or catheter, will be introduced into a vein in your arm or hand. The catheter will be attached to an intravenous tube through which medication will be given to help you relax and feel comfortable. Some patients may be asleep while others will slip in and out of sleep.  Both states of consciousness generally end with no memory of the procedure.  Some patients with medical conditions and/or on specific drug regimens may be only lightly sedated.  With IV sedation, a constant “drip” is maintained via the intravenous tube. At any time an antidote can be administered to reverse the effects of the medications if necessary. IV sedation is very safe! Along with IV sedation there are also different “levels” of sedation available to you in our office. There is nitrous oxide analgesia and oral sedation or nitrous oxide in combination with oral sedation – basically we can tailor the anesthesia to your need or desire. Once again, all modalities are administered and monitored by Dr. Marley in the safety and comfort of our office environment.

Sedation Dentistry for the Fearful

Dental phobia is a real, often overwhelming reality for thousands of people. Negative previous dental experiences, fear of needles or drills, and severe gag reflexes are just some of the reasons people feel extreme anxiety when thinking about visiting the dentist.  At Dr. Marley’s Family Dentistry, we are committed to understanding the very real nature of your fears. Not only will our staff treat you with delicacy and care, but IV sedation will allow you to experience dentistry in a whole new way. While engaging in a pleasant sleeplike experience, Dr. Marley will be hard at work making sure you “wake up” with the results you desire.