Many people are wracked with anxiety when they need to visit their dentist or an oral surgeon.
There are many reasons folks tend to get worked up for their visit. Fear of needles, pain, or negative past experiences are all contributing factors to their heightened unease.
If you get worried or worked up about any oral surgery procedure, then you’ll be happy to know that we understand what you’re going through. That’s why we offer various types of sedation for your procedure.
Oral Surgery Sedation Options
Our goal at Advanced Dental Implants and Oral Surgery is to make your experience as comfortable as possible. The process starts as soon as you step into our office in Issaquah and lasts throughout your entire time with us.
That said, we offer a few different sedation and anesthesia options. We’ll discuss which option will work best for you and your procedure during your consultation with Dr. Luis Vega. However, if you have specific questions about these options, don’t hesitate to call our office at (425) 477-7723.
We offer four different types, local and general anesthesia, IV sedation, and nitrous oxide.
Local Anesthesia
Local anesthesia numbs a specific area of the body where the dentist will be working. It works by blocking the transmission of pain signals from the nerves to the brain.
There are two main types of local anesthesia used in oral surgery:
- Infiltration anesthesia: This type of anesthesia is injected directly into the area where the dentist will be working. It is commonly used for procedures such as fillings and extractions.
- Nerve block anesthesia: This type of anesthesia is injected near a nerve that supplies feeling to a larger area of the mouth. It is commonly used for procedures such as wisdom tooth removal.
Local anesthesia is a safe and effective way to numb the area where the dentist will be working.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia puts the patient into twilight sleep, where you’re conscious but don’t feel any pain. It is commonly used in oral surgery for procedures that are more extensive or painful, such as wisdom tooth removal or maxillofacial surgery. General anesthesia works by suppressing the central nervous system, which blocks the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
General anesthesia is administered by an anesthesiologist, who is a doctor who specializes in the administration of anesthesia. The anesthesiologist will monitor the patient’s vital signs throughout the procedure to ensure that they are safe.
There are two main ways to administer general anesthesia:
- Intravenous (IV): The anesthetic is injected into a vein in the arm or hand.
- Inhalation: The anesthetic is delivered through a mask that the patient wears over their nose and mouth.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is commonly used in oral surgery to relieve pain and anxiety. It is a safe and effective way to relax patients and make procedures more comfortable.
Nitrous oxide works by stimulating the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain relievers. It also has a calming effect, which can help to reduce anxiety.
Nitrous oxide is administered through a mask that the patient wears over their nose and mouth. The patient can control the amount of gas they breathe in, so they can adjust the level of pain relief and sedation they need.
Nitrous oxide is a very safe gas, but there are some risks associated with its use. These include:
- Headache: This is a common side effect of nitrous oxide. It usually goes away on its own within a few hours.
- Nausea and vomiting: This is another common side effect of nitrous oxide. It usually goes away on its own within a few hours.
- Dizziness: You may feel dizzy or lightheaded after nitrous oxide. This is usually a temporary side effect.
- Anxiety: In rare cases, nitrous oxide can actually increase anxiety.
IV Sedation
IV sedation, also known as intravenous sedation or conscious sedation, is a type of sedation in which medication is given through a needle in the vein. It is commonly used in oral surgery for procedures that are more extensive. IV sedation can help to relax the patient and make the procedure more comfortable.
IV sedation works by depressing the entire central nervous system, which blocks the transmission of pain signals to the brain. The level of sedation can be adjusted by the oral surgeon, so the patient is comfortable but still alert.
IV sedation is administered by a doctor or nurse anesthetist, who will monitor the patient’s vital signs throughout the procedure to ensure that they are safe.
Here are some of the benefits of IV sedation:
- It is a safe and effective way to relax patients and make procedures more comfortable.
- It can help to reduce anxiety and fear.
- It can help to prevent post-operative nausea and vomiting.
- It can help to shorten the recovery time.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind about IV sedation:
- You will need to fast for 6 hours before the procedure.
- You will need to have someone drive you home after the procedure.
- You should not make any important decisions or drive for 24 hours after the procedure.
Contact Advanced Dental Implants and Oral Surgery Today
We strive to give all our patients top notch care including making sure you’re comfortable during your procedure here at Advanced Dental Implants and Oral Surgery.
During your consultation with our oral surgeon, we’ll discuss the procedure, how to prepare for it, post operative care instructions, and, most importantly, which type of anesthesia or sedation we’ll use.
If you have questions about any of these options, or if you would like more information about our practice and the services we offer, do not hesitate to call our office or schedule your consultation today.
