Effect of intravenous sedation on implant-therapy outcomes

Abstract Purpose Intravenous (IV) sedation (IVS) is useful for reducing patient anxiety and fear during dental implant placement. However, its effects on long-term postoperative implant outcomes remain largely unknown. This study investigated the effects of IVS on implant-therapy outcomes. Methods This study included patients who underwent implant placement with a minimum follow-up of 3 years after superstructure attachment, had no systemic disease, and no bone augmentation. Patients with a history of smoking were excluded. The medical records of 67 implants in 58 patients who underwent implant therapy with IV sedation ([IVS] group, 31 implants in 38 patients) and those without IV sedation (control group, 29 implants in 27 patients) till the time period between July 1, 2000, and May 31, 2023, were reviewed. Statistical analyses were performed for each endpoint to identify those with significant differences. Results The 3-year implant survival rate was 100% in both groups. The plaque-control records of the remaining teeth immediately before implant placement were significantly higher in the IVS group than in the control group, and bleeding on probing was significantly lower in the IVS group 3 years after superstructure attachment. The IVS group had a significantly higher number of patients with maintenance visits and additional implant placements than the control group. Conclusions Our results suggest that application of IVS for implant therapy improves patients’ willingness to receive dental prophylaxis.