Understanding Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia

When it comes to improving your dental experience, dental sedation offers a number of treatment advantages. For patients facing extensive dental procedures, deep sedation and general anesthesia are excellent options for enhancing your procedure. To determine which option works best for your smile, consider the following:

Administered intravenously, deep sedation is the highest level of sedation dentistry and requires specialized training by the oral surgeon. While under the influence of deep sedation, patients are only barely conscious and thus unable to respond to commands. In some cases, breathing assistance may be required. For patients with severe dental phobia or those requiring more complex or multiple dental procedures such as tooth extraction or implant placement, deep sedation is an ideal option.

In contrast, general anesthesia is not considered a form of true sedation dentistry and is more commonly used in the event of extensive oral surgery, such as jaw reconstruction or TMJ surgery. Unlike deep sedation, general anesthesia can only be administered by a highly trained anesthesiologist or oral surgeon. As a result, patients considering general anesthesia must consider the fact that their treatment will most likely be performed in a hospital or surgical center. General anesthesia also put patients in a state of complete unconsciousness, requiring a ventilator in order to maintain the airway.

However, this level of unconsciousness makes general anesthesia ideal for cases in which many procedures must be completed. Additionally, patients with preexisting conditions may find general anesthesia to be a safer option as they are continuously monitored throughout the entirety of their procedure.

Selecting Sedation Dentistry

Given the unique needs of each patient, preparing for sedation dentistry requires an in-depth analysis of the patient’s health history and procedural needs. At the Lorton and Springfield dental practices of Dr. Snehal Patel, our mission is to provide each patient with a comfortable and safe procedure that yields lasting results. By utilizing advanced technology and one-on-one consultations, our team is able to help patients of all ages find the right dental sedation for their upcoming procedure.

Lorton Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery is proud to offer a number of different sedation options, ranging from mild to deep sedation. For more information about improving your upcoming procedure, contactour Northern Virginia oral surgeon today. 

Dental Sedation FAQs

Thanks to sedation dentistry, many patients are now able to undergo routine and complex procedures in a safe and comfortable manner. With varying degrees and different methods of administering the relaxation medication, sedation treatment plans may vary based on each individual’s unique needs.

Who is a Candidate for Dental Sedation?

Dental sedation is safe for almost all patients undergoing almost any procedure. However, the type of sedation you receive is based on a number of factors, including your medical history, age, and the nature of the upcoming procedure. Pre-existing conditions such as impaired lung or kidney function or sleep apnea may require a more advanced sedation such as IV sedation or general anesthesia in order to maintain the highest level of safety.

Can Children Undergo Sedation Dentistry?

Similar to adult sedation, pediatric sedation dentistry also comes in varying levels. For nervous or anxious children, our Northern Virginia oral surgeon frequently recommends the use of mild sedation such as Nitrous Oxide combined with a local anesthetic in order to ease the child’s nerves. In certain scenarios where the child is unable to sit still for the duration of the appointment or more extensive treatment is required to restore the child’s oral health, more extensive sedation may be needed. In these cases, Dr. Patel works with local pediatric dentists to help the child obtain the right treatment plan.

What is the Preparation for Dental Sedation?

When preparing to undergo a sedation-enhanced procedure, it is recommended that patients observe the following guidelines:

Nitrous Oxide:

• You may have a light meal four hours before your procedure.

Oral Conscious Sedation: 

• Take the medication at the time appointed by your treatment plan.
• Have a light meal prior to your procedure.
• Enlist the help of a family member or friend to drive you to and from your appointment.

Intravenous Sedation: 

• Do not eat or drink anything for seven hours prior to surgery or as directed in your pre-op instructions.
• If you take any daily medications, inform your oral surgeon beforehand.
• Plan to have someone drive you to and from your dental appointment.

General Anesthesia 

• Avoid eating or drinking anything for seven hours prior to your appointment or as directed in your pre-op instructions. 
• Discuss your current medications with your dentist to ensure that none of your medications will cause complications.
• Have a friend or family member drive you home following your procedure.

Sedation Dentistry in Northern Virginia

At Lorton Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, our goal is to ensure your comfort and safety throughout your dental procedure. To learn more about dental sedation and the available treatment options at our Lorton and Springfield dental office, contact our oral surgeon today.