Anesthesia Options

Are you afraid of the dentist? You are not alone. Many patients are nervous about dental visits and put off treatment for years. Procrastination, however, can be the worst thing for gums and teeth. Various sedation and relaxation techniques including general anesthesia can put the most phobic patient at rest.

Local Anesthesia

Some patients are so stoic they don't even require a local anesthetic or a numbing of the gums. However, most patients do. The slightest discomfort can be easily eliminated. A topical anesthetic is first applied to numb the tissue before an injection is given. Two types of injections are available. An infiltration injection numbs or eliminates any discomfort in a localized area. A block injection will numb an entire region as is often done with the lower jaw. The numbness will last from less that an hour to several hours but will completely wear off.

Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia

A combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen is breathed through a nasal mask to give a sensation of relaxation and euphoria. Patients may also know this as "laughing gas". The gas is odorless. It takes about three minutes to achieve a comfortable state. The patient is totally aware during this procedure and can direct the doctor, if they feel any discomfort. Nitrous oxide is completely eliminated from the patients' system within a few minutes after the procedure, so that you are able to drive. This is a significant help for relieving mild to moderate anxiety and it helps eliminate the gag reflex. Nitrous oxide oxygen can be used for children and often eliminates the need for a local anesthetic (needle) or numbing. This can be a big help for positive management of younger patients.

Intravenous Sedation/General Anesthesia

Drugs are given through an intravenous catheter to create a state of deep relaxation and amnesia. The patient is free of anxiety, looses the sense of time, and has no memory of the procedure. This is an excellent modality for an extremely apprehensive patient or a patient undergoing a surgical procedure, such as implant surgery. During the procedure the patient is continually monitored with EKG, automatic blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels. The patient cannot drive after this procedure. This is usually an in-office procedure.