Dental Anesthesia and Sedation

Types of In-Office Anesthesia

There are three main categories of in-office anesthesia available for dental treatment and oral surgery.

1. Local Anesthesia takes its name from the fact that it acts locally. It works by numbing the treatment area to eliminate pain. You may feel a little pressure and mild discomfort, but the actual procedure will be pain-free when you receive this type of office-based anesthesia. This is typically used for tooth extractions, fillings, and other types of routine care performed by your family dentist.
2. IV Sedation is the next level of office-based anesthesia and is commonly used for surgical procedures at Peninsula Oral and Facial Surgery. Sedation is available at different levels. The most minimal is a mild type of office-based anesthesia where you are conscious and able to respond to speech and stimuli. This can help you to remain relaxed during dental surgery. Moderate levels of this office-based anesthesia will leave you in a semiconscious state, while deep sedation will leave you on the edge of consciousness for the most complex surgeries. The medication is administered intravenously. Your vital signs and state of consciousness will be carefully monitored for your safety and to ensure the right level of office-based anesthesia for the surgery.
3. General anesthesia is the most intensive form of dental anesthesia. You will be unconscious for the surgery and will not remember anything during the procedure. This can be provided as a form of office-based anesthesia or hospital based anesthesia but always involves the assistance of an anesthesiologist, a separate doctor specifically trained to keep patients safe and comfortable during surgery. This is the option typically used for extensive oral reconstruction, jaw surgery, and other complex types of surgery, and longer surgeries.

The type of dental anesthesia used will be case specific. Mild sedation is sometimes used even for simple procedures if you are particularly anxious or restless. Deeper forms of sedation are used to ensure that complex procedures can be performed without pain.

General Anesthesia Wisdom Teeth

General anesthesia isn’t typically required for wisdom tooth extraction. Our surgeons can perform the procedure safely and comfortably with IV sedation in most cases, and you’ll be asleep and pain-free. However, there are cases where general anesthesia wisdom teeth procedures could be recommended depending on the complexity of the case or other medical conditions of the patient.

Older patients may require general anesthesia wisdom teeth procedures because their teeth are often more deeply impacted and much more difficult to remove.

• As you age, the bone becomes less pliable, which makes wisdom tooth removal more complicated.
• Calcified bone tissue at tooth roots can increase the time and steps needed to remove impacted wisdom teeth. General anesthesia wisdom teeth procedures keep you comfortable while ensuring that the surgeon can work carefully without interruption.

While general anesthesia wisdom teeth procedures are rare, they are performed in some cases. You’ll learn about the best type of dental anesthesia for your case when you come for your consultation at Peninsula Oral and Facial Surgery.

Is Dental Anesthesia Safe?

Dental anesthesia is safe and can even enhance safety when it is properly planned and administered. The team at Peninsula Oral and Facial Surgery conducts detailed treatment planning to ensure that every aspect of your upcoming procedure is performed with safety in mind. Dental anesthesia will be an option in many cases. The type of anesthesia will depend on the nature of the surgery, the site of treatment, the complexity of the surgery, and your unique needs.

Some mild forms of dental anesthesia can help to keep you relaxed, which is especially important if you have any anxiety about the upcoming surgery. Office-based anesthesia is also used for pain control, during and in the hours after the surgery.

Begin Your Consultation for Dental Surgery and Learn About Your Dental Anesthesia and Sedation Options

With a detailed consultation, you’ll learn about the specific approach to dental anesthesia and sedation, and what to expect in your treatment.

Anesthesia is used for an extensive range of treatments, some of which include:

• Dental implant placement.
• Complex tooth extractions.
• Wisdom tooth extractions.
• Complex bone grafting procedures.
• Corrective jaw surgery.

If you have any concerns about your upcoming surgery, or if you want to learn more about the treatment options, you can reach out for questions by calling us at 650-342-0213.