General Anesthesia
General Anesthesia Sedation Dentistry
Many people have a dental phobia because they are unsure of what will happen once they get in the dental chair. This anxiety is understandable given that some procedures can be uncomfortable. However, it is important to keep in mind that neglecting your oral health can lead to many serious dental problems. To help patients who experience anxiety when visiting the dentist, we offer sedation.
Sedation is a safe and effective way to help patients relax during their dental procedures. There are a variety of different types of sedation that can be used depending on the individual’s needs. For example, some people may only need light sedation, while others may need to be put to sleep with general anesthesia
At Virginia Oral Surgery Specialists, your comfort is our number one priority. We want to ensure that you have a positive experience when you visit our office in Vienna, VA. That’s why we pride ourselves on offering multiple sedation dentistry options!
General Anesthesia for Your Dental Treatment
General anesthesia is used to put patients into a deep sleep during their dental procedure. This type of sedation is typically used for more invasive procedures, such as wisdom teeth extractions. This is different than a local anesthetic, which only numbs the area around your mouth.
With general anesthesia, you will not be able to feel any pain or discomfort during your procedure. You will also not be aware of what is happening around you.
Laughing Gas or Inhaled Minimal Sedation
Laughing gas is a type of dental sedation that uses nitrous oxide to relax the patient while they receive dental care. Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective way to help patients relax during their dental procedures. The effects of nitrous oxide dissipate quickly, so you will be able to drive yourself home after your appointment. This conscious sedation option is typically used for patients who experience mild anxiety when visiting the dentist or during minimally invasive procedures like fillings or cleanings.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is another option offered for patients who experience anxiety during dental procedures. This type of sedation uses medication that is taken orally before the procedure. The medication will help you to relax and feel drowsy during your appointment.
It is important to note that you will need someone to drive you home after your appointment. The effects of the medication can last several hours, so it is not safe for you to drive. Oral conscious sedation is best used for procedures like extractions or deep cleanings.
IV Sedation
Sedation using an IV is the most effective way to help patients relax during dental procedures. This type of sedation is administered through a small IV in the arm. The sedative medication will help you feel relaxed and drowsy during your procedure.
Like the oral option, the effects of the medication will last several hours, so you will need someone to drive you home from the dental office after your appointment. IV sedation dentistry is best used for invasive and complex procedures like wisdom teeth extractions.
Sedation Can Help Treat More Than Dental Anxiety!
It is important to note that there are many benefits that come with choosing sedation dentistry for your procedure. Sedation dentistry is not just used to help patients relax during a visit to the dentist. It can also help reduce dental anxiety and fear, eliminate pain from the procedure, reduce your gag reflex to make you more comfortable, and help you to stay still during long or complex procedures.
If you are worried about an upcoming dental procedure, sedation dentistry may be the right solution. You should always talk to the dentist or oral surgeon performing your procedure about your options and find the type of sedation that is right for you.
