Intramuscular Sedation (IM)

Intramuscular Sedation is another technique which is often used in place of oral medication for a non-compliant patient or child. This type of sedation is administered through injections which require a larger muscle mass such as the upper thigh, buttocks or upper arm. IM Sedation is the go to option when other options are not preferred or available, but it is generally less controllable than IV Sedation. This method of sedation is ideal when you are too anxious, fearful, or uncooperative for a dental procedure.

Pros of IM Sedation:

• Rapid onset

• Longer lasting effects

• More reliably absorbed by the body than oral sedatives

• Patient cooperation not as essential

Cons of IM Sedation:

• Inability to titrate (or measure and adjust balance of) which can result in less accurate dosage prediction

• Inability to reverse drug action

• Prolonged duration of drug effect

• Site of injection can become infected