Dental
Anesthesia
Why do I need anesthesia at the dental office?
To make your dental visit as comfortable as possible, your dentist 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 the patient. How do I know if I m
a candidate for dental anesthesia?
You and your dentist 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 retardation, 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 your 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. Your dentist 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.
Your dentist 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. During deep sedation you will be unable to respond
appropriately to verbal commands. During general anesthesia you will be
unconscious.
What should I tell my dentist before receiving anesthesia?
Your dentist needs 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 your dentist s
questions completely and ask about your concerns. This way your dentist 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.
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.
Members of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) are required to take 75
hours of continuing dental education every three years to remain in good
standing. The AGD Fellowship and Mastership awards reflect additional hours of
experience and study.
Sources:
James Chancellor, DDS, MAGD;
Morbidity and Mortality Associated with the Pharmacologic Management of Pain
and Anxiety, Compendium of Continuing Dental Education, Vol. XIV, No.6;
Guidelines for Teaching the Comprehensive Control of Pain and Anxiety in
Dentistry, American Dental Association 1992;
Understanding Dental Anesthesia: What Every Patient Should Know, American
Dental Association 1999.
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