Oral surgery, especially when anesthesia is used, can be an intimidating prospect for many people. However, when it is administered by a trained and certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, anesthesia is safe and helps relieve the anxiety and pain of oral surgery.
Three main types of anesthesia are commonly used in oral surgery: local anesthesia, IV sedation, and general anesthesia.
Always be sure to follow the proper preparation and aftercare instructions from your Oral Surgeon to ensure that you have a safe and successful procedure.
Local Anesthesia
If you’ve ever had a cavity, there’s a good chance that you have had local anesthesia. Local anesthesia is a numbing medication that is injected directly into the area that is about to be treated, usually the gums around an affected tooth.
Local anesthesia is typically used during a minor surgery that can be done quickly, such as a cavity filling. You remain conscious during the dental procedure and won’t feel pain. You will only feel the pressure of the dental instruments.
Occasionally nitrous oxide will be used in combination with local anesthesia. This method commonly referred to as “laughing gas,” it is a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen that you breathe in through a mask placed over your nose.
With nitrous oxide, you will remain conscious. You will feel relaxed and you will not feel the pain of the procedure. Once the mask is removed, the effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly.
This method of anesthesia is very safe and effective for most minor procedures.
Local anesthesia is safe and has few side effects. You will feel numbness in your cheeks, lips, and gums for a few hours following the procedure. Be careful not to bite too hard!
IV Sedation
IV Sedation is a form of deeper anesthesia in which an intravenous catheter is placed and medicine is titrated to achieve a period of brief but effective sedation. Patients sometime report remembering conversations at the beginning and after procedures but very little memory of the actual surgery.
General Anesthesia
When you think of “being put to sleep” for a surgery, this is general anesthesia. This type of anesthesia uses IV sedatives like IV sedation but produces a more profound anesthesia experience with no memory of the actual procedure. This method is typically used for more intensive procedures such as impacted wisdom tooth removal, dental implant placement, or any larger oral surgical procedure.
You will be completely unconscious during the procedure. You will not be able to drive yourself home after undergoing general anesthesia, so make sure to bring a friend or family member with you!
To ensure a safe and successful surgery, be sure to visit a trained and certified oral surgeon.
OMSNashville’s team of professionals are ready to help with your oral surgery needs in one of our seven Metro Nashville locations.
Contact our team today to schedule an appointment.
The information and content on our website should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment or advice from your doctor.
