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Dental
Anesthesia
Why
do I need anesthesia at the dental office?
To make your dental visit as comfortable as possible, we may suggest
anesthesia to reduce or eliminate any pain or anxiety that may be
related to your dental treatment. The type of anesthesia required
for any dental procedure depends on the needs or preferences of
you.
How
do I know if I'm a candidate for dental anesthesia?
You and Dr. McBride will decide what level of anesthesia is right
for you. Some patients prefer a higher level of anesthesia than
others. Children, people with special needs, such as mental disabilities,
and those with a condition, such as a dental phobia may require
a higher level of anesthesia.
What
are the levels of dental anesthesia?
Local anesthesia is produced by the application or injection
of a drug to eliminate pain in a specific area in the mouth. Topical
anesthetics are frequently used by the dentist to numb an area in
preparation for administering an injectable local anesthetic. Injectable
local anesthetics, such as Lidocaine, numb mouth tissues in a specific
area of your mouth for a short period of time. Dr. McBride will
probably inject a local anesthetic before filling cavities, preparing
your teeth for crowns, or for any surgical procedure. Local anesthesia
is the most commonly used form of anesthesia in the dental office.
Conscious
sedation can be used to help you relax during a dental procedure.
Dr. McBride may administer an anti-anxiety agent, such as nitrous
oxide, or a sedative, in combination with a local anesthetic for
pain. During conscious sedation, you will remain calm during treatment,
yet rational and responsive to speech and touch. Anti-anxiety agents
and sedatives can be administered by mouth, inhalation or injection.
Deep
sedation and general anesthesia is used for complex
procedures and for patients who have trouble controlling their movements
or need a deeper level of anesthesia during treatment. General dentistry
rarely requires this kind of anesthesia, however, this is a common
practice for oral surgeries. During deep sedation you will be
unable to respond appropriately to verbal commands. During general
anesthesia you will be unconscious. This is not usually performed
in the dental office by Dr. McBride. In special circumstances,
when necessary, this is arranged in a hospital setting by an anesthesiologist
working with Dr. McBride.
What
should I tell my dentist before receiving ANY anesthesia?
Dr. McBride and the hygienists need to know about all the medications
that you are taking, any allergic reactions you've had to medicines
in the past, and your past and present health conditions. It's important
that you answer all questions completely and ask about your concerns.
This way we will be sure to tell you everything you need to know
before receiving treatment. For example, in some cases, your anesthesia
treatment may require that you suspend certain medications or abstain
from eating or drinking for a period of time before the treatment.
Some medications can have adverse reactions when mixed with certain
anesthetics. Revealing over the counter herbal supplements
and vitamins is even recommended.
Is
anesthesia in the dental office safe?
Although taking any medication involves a certain amount of risk,
the drugs that produce anesthesia are entirely safe when administered
by a trained anesthesia provider. The best thing to do is ask questions
about any procedure that you are not familiar with. Ask about alternatives,
training, the doctor's commitment to continuing education and the
credentials of other personnel in the dental office who might be
assisting with your treatment. Good communication between the dentist
and the patient is the best way of insuring safety.
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