It’s normal to feel anxious before any surgical procedure, including oral surgery. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible during your surgery. That’s why we offer multiple dental anesthesia options, from local to general anesthetic.
Dental Anesthesia Options at our Clinic
Dr. Green will discuss anesthesia options with you during your pre-procedure consultation. Make sure to tell him any health issues you have (such as heart or breathing problems), if you had negative side effects from any type of anesthesia in the past, or feel anxious about your procedure.
The type of anesthesia used depends on your preference, your ability to tolerate the noise of the procedure, your level of anxiety, the extent of surgery required, and Dr. Green’s professional medical assessment of your overall health.
Local Anesthesia
A local anesthetic is the most basic level we offer. This is often used for single tooth extractions and implant placement.
The anesthesia is administered by an injection inside the mouth. In a few minutes, the tissue in the surgical area becomes numb. You won’t feel pain but depending on the procedure, you may feel some pressure and be able to hear the noise of the instruments. It can sometimes take several hours for the numbness to disappear after your surgery.
A local can also be used in conjunction with other anesthetic options, such as nitrous oxide.
Sedation
The next level of anesthesia we offer is sedation, which means the patient is given medication to help them feel calm and relaxed but not fall asleep.
We use two types of sedation:
- Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas. It is commonly used for patients who experience mild to moderate anxiety during dental procedures. A mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen is administered through a nasal breathing apparatus.
- Intravenous (IV) Sedation: This type of sedation is administered through an IV and allows you to be calm but not completely asleep during the procedure. This option is commonly used in semi-invasive surgical procedures, such as bone grafting, but can also be used for patients who experience a high level of anxiety.
General Anesthesia
If you undergo an extensive procedure, such as facial trauma surgery, jaw reconstruction, or multiple tooth extractions, such as wisdom teeth removal, Dr. Green recommends general anesthesia. With this type of anesthesia, you are asleep for the duration of the surgery but can breathe on your own without the help of a machine.
For patients who need general anesthesia but are not healthy enough for an in-office procedure, the surgery will be scheduled at Medical City Alliance hospital in Fort Worth where Dr. Green will perform the surgery with the help of an anesthesiologist. Because of the extra cost with this arrangement, it is typically reserved for older patients with significant health problems who need multiple teeth removed or major facial reconstructive surgery.
Is an Oral Surgeon Qualified to Administer Anesthesia?
Yes! Oral surgeons must undergo extensive training and gain field experience performing different types of anesthesia before they go into practice. This training and hands-on experience includes the administration of anesthesia in hospital operating rooms and office facilities.
Oral surgeons have received the highest level of licensing for dental practitioners to perform anesthesia, which allows them to safely offer more options than general dentists.
Contact Us
If you have questions about what dental anesthesia options we offer, feel free to call our office at (817) 237-7557. Dr. Green will also discuss options at your consultation appointment.