Nervous about your upcoming dental procedure? Totally understandable.
Fortunately, pain management has come a long way for dental care. Whether you’re visiting your dentist, or oral surgeon Nock Oral Surgery Grand Junction for a root canal, a tooth extraction, or to have a dental implant placed in, there are several options to reduce pain during these procedures. Let’s explore frequently asked questions about general anesthesia in regard to dental care.
What kinds of anesthesia are available during dental surgeries?
In general, anesthesia is applied in one of three ways during dental procedures: IV sedation, local, and general anesthesia.
What is IV sedation?
As the name implies, you will have an IV line in your arm. With IV sedation, you won’t remember much about the procedure, and you will not experience any pain. Once you are “under,” (when the anesthesia kicks in), your oral surgeon then numbs your gums with a local anesthetic.
How long does IV sedation last?
The effects and duration of IV sedation depend on the type and dosage you receive. Most people begin to feel the effects of IV sedation wear off a few hours post-procedure. It’s also normal to feel groggy and sleepy even up to 24 hours after the procedure. Before the procedure, your dentist or oral surgeon will discuss what to expect when it comes to the effects and duration of IV sedation.
What is local anesthesia?
Local anesthesia is an injection of Novocaine by the tooth that needs to be pulled. With local anesthesia you will be awake during the procedure, but you will not feel any pain. At most, you may feel subtle tugging and prodding sensations as the dentist extracts the tooth, but no actual discomfort. Your doctor may also have you breathe in nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, so you further relax and even doze during the procedure. Once the mask with laughing gas is removed, you should feel alert quickly.
How long does local anesthesia last?
Local anesthesia typically lasts about one to three hours. Factors such as the anesthetic type, injection site, your metabolism can affect how long the effects of local anesthesia last.
It’s common for your lips and chin to become numb with local anesthesia. Some patients report that their lips and chin feel “fat” or tingly when the area is numbed.
What is general anesthesia?
General anesthesia can be applied in different ways. For example, you may:
- inhale medication through your nose
- have an IV line in your arm
- have both an IV line in your arm and breathe in medication through your nose
With general anesthesia, you’ll be in a deep sleep, so you won’t experience any pain and will not remember the procedure. General anesthesia is usually reserved for complex tooth extractions, such as wisdom teeth removal.
Is it possible to be allergic to anesthesia?
Yes, some people experience allergic reactions to anesthesia, though this is usually rare. Symptoms can include hives, swelling, trouble breathing, dizziness, etc. Before you receive any medical procedure, share your full medical history with your dentist or oral surgeon. Based on your medical history, they may recommend allergy tests. If the tests show an allergy, your dental surgeon will adjust pain management options for you.
Is there any possibility I will know what is going on, even with anesthesia?
With IV sedation, some patients have a vague awareness of the surgery. For example, they may feel poking and prodding sensations in their mouth during tooth extraction, but report no pain or fear involved.
How do I prepare for oral surgery and anesthesia?
Follow all pre-procedure instructions provided by your oral surgeon. These instructions typically include:
- Avoid eating solid or semi-solid food eight hours before surgery
- Avoid drinking liquids two hours before surgery
Note that these instructions can vary based on your needs. Always look to your oral surgeon for final authority.
Should I have someone drive me home after oral surgery?
Yes. It’s standard protocol for dentists to recommend that a family member or friend drive you home after you undergo dental surgery involving IV sedation or general anesthesia. Even if you feel relatively fine and awake coming out of anesthesia, it’s still best for someone to drive you home.
This article was written by Leah Campbell for Third Loft Marketing.
