Here at Radiance Dentistry, patients know that we offer safe, state-of-the-art treatment for missing teeth and other dental health problems. This is why we are one of the leading dental practices in Irving for patients in search or advanced dentistry solutions.
Getting dental implants for missing teeth is an excellent restorative option, though it does require oral surgery. Patients interested in dental implants often ask us about the procedure and if it’s painful. Let’s address this issue by considering the use of anesthesia during the implant dentistry process.
IS ANESTHESIA USED DURING ORAL SURGERY?
Yes.
Whether it’s just local anesthetic or some form of sedation, it’s important that anesthesia be used as part of any oral surgery procedure. Anesthetic will reduce the pain and discomfort of a surgery and help keep a patient’s mind at ease. In addition to anesthetic used during dental implant surgery, it can also be used in other kinds of procedures, such as periodontal surgeries and wisdom tooth extractions.
OPTIONS FOR ANESTHESIA
There are different kinds of anesthetic that can be used. The mos common options are as follows:
- Local Anesthetic – Local anesthetic is used to eliminate sensations of pain and discomfort in the part of the body operated upon. The patient is still fully conscious, but he or she will not feel anything during the procedure.
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation with Local Anesthesia – Nitrous oxide sedation involves patients inhaling nitrous oxide (colloquially known as laughing gas) through a mask to achieve a relaxed yet conscious state. Nitrous oxide is then combined with local anesthetic to ensure patients feel no pain and experience no anxiety.
- IV Sedation with Local Anesthesia – Intravenous sedation methods introduce a sedative into the bloodstream to help the patient achieve a deeply relaxed state. They will be completely unaware of the procedure being performed. Local anesthetic is also administered to ensure total pain-free and anxiety-free surgery.
- General Anesthesia – General anesthesia allows surgeons to anesthetize the entire body. This leads to the total loss of a patient’s consciousness during a surgical procedure.
It’s rare for patients to have general anesthetic for dental implant procedures. In most cases, general anesthesia is recommended for people undergoing extensive facial surgeries or reconstructive procedures.
WHICH OPTION WOULD BE IDEAL FOR ME?
For most patients, nitrous oxide sedation or IV sedation tend to be the most ideal options. Both of these anesthetic methods, combined with local anesthesia, can help patients feel totally relaxed and at ease during a procedure.
In many cases, the patient’s desired level of relaxation and comfort and the nature of the oral surgery will determine the ideal form of sedation. Deeper sedation with IV medication may be ideal for patients who require extensive surgery or may be more prone to anxiety over oral surgery.
DISCUSSING ANESTHESIA AND OTHER MATTERS
During the consultation process, we will be more than happy to go over all of your anesthetic options. By discussing these options at length, you’ll be able to make a smart choice regarding your dental health and wellness as well as your general sense of comfort and well-being during the oral surgery.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS
For more information about dental implants and how they can help you have a healthy and beautiful smile, be sure to contact our advanced cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. The team at Radiance Dentistry looks forward to your visit.