Sedation Options Do you have a fear of the dentist? If so, we know it's hard even to imagine going in for any oral surgery. But don't worry! We are here to talk about your options when it comes to sedation and anesthesia during dental procedures. Let us show you how easy it can be with these safe and effective methods to make an appointment at our office. Below are some of the most popular sedation options available today in oral surgery. Nitrous OxideNitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a safe and effective option for those who have anxiety about being in the dental chair. Nitrous oxide works by relaxing muscles, including the diaphragm (the muscle that helps us breathe). This sedation option does not make patients drowsy; instead, it takes away their anxiety while they are awake to get through oral surgery with minimal discomfort. General AnesthesiaGeneral anesthesia is a form of sedation used for surgeries in which the patient has to be completely unconscious. It's often only necessary when serious risks are associated with a particular surgery. General anesthesia may also require intubating patients (placing tubes into their windpipe). Intubated patients cannot talk or breathe on their own during the procedure. Local AnesthesiaIn contrast to general anesthesia, local anesthetic blocks pain signals from getting through nerve endings at the site where they're applied, but doesn't put you under like general anesthesia does. The most common use for this kind of sedation is dental work that requires no incisions. For example, if you need a tooth extraction, a local anesthetic can numb the area around the tooth and make it easier to pull out. Patients are awake during their procedure. Local Anesthesia with SedationLocal anesthesia is great for dental work, but sometimes people want more than just pain relief from sedation; they also want sedative effects such as reduced anxiety. That is where combining local anesthesia with a drug like midazolam (a benzodiazepine) may come into play. A patient will get numbed up by a local anesthetic while receiving a small dose of another medication that calms them down at the same time. This is often referred to as conscious sedation because the patient can still talk or walk around during their procedure. Oral SedationOral sedation is a form of pill-based medication that we can use for dental procedures. It's typically given to people who experience moderate anxiety about visiting the dentist, but it should not be confused with general anesthesia because it doesn't make you unconscious. An oral sedative taken before your appointment will usually work within an hour or so, and patients may need someone else to drive them home after their visit. A dose lasts from four to six hours, so some dentists recommend taking half the dose on arrival at the office rather than waiting until they start working, to decrease any side effects like drowsiness later on. Oral medications are often combined with nitrous oxide for maximum effect. Intravenous Sedation or IV SedationIV sedation can be administered intravenously (through a needle inserted into the arm) to provide light anesthesia while undergoing dental procedures. This is usually done with an oral form of medicine combined with nitrous oxide. If you have particularly high anxiety about visiting the dentist, IV sedation is a really great option. If you have any questions, please reach out to Greater Ohio Oral & Facial Surgery at (380) 261-4130, and we'll be glad to assist in any way we can. |
