Analgesia means the loss of ability to feel pain while conscious, the state you will be in during Conscious Sedation.

There is a significant difference between Intravenous/IV Conscious Sedation and general anesthesia (unconscious sedation) used for invasive surgical procedures. During general anesthesia, you are completely asleep and cannot be aroused — not even by painful stimulation, and it requires breathing support, plus an anesthesiologist is needed to monitor your vital signs.  During IV Conscious sedation you are not “asleep” but rather in “Twilight Sleep,” a much safer and more comfortable semi-awake state of reduced anxiety, but you are still able to follow the dentist’s instructions, like “open wide.”   However, the feeling of relaxation is so profound that you are unlikely to remember much about the procedure.  As a result, time will appear to pass very quickly, and you will be out of the chair before you know it, the whole time free from anxiety, and without a memory of the procedure to disturb your dreams.

IV sedation is accomplished by a drug administered through an injection (just a tiny pin prick), usually in the back of your hand.

You will still need your gums numbed, and if fear of injections is an issue, you will not be numbed until the IV sedation has fully kicked in, and you will very probably not feel it, or be relaxed enough at that point not to care. IV Sedation is highly effective and is also highly reliable, and can be tailored to meet the individual patient’s needs.  Safety is always the first concern.

During the sedation, you will be closely and continuously monitored by the dentist and staff members, using electronic equipment that shows blood pressure, heart rate, the amount of oxygen in the blood and, often, your heart function on an EKG monitor.  After the procedure is over, you will not be released until it is safe for you to leave the dentist’s office.

If you are interested in intravenous conscious sedation / analgesia in Costa Rica, fill out the “Find a Dentist” form on this page.  One of our patient advocates will reply to your needs.