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 101

For individuals of all ages, even routine dental procedures can be nerve-wracking experiences. For these patients, sedation dentistry offers the opportunity to undergo dental treatment in a comfortable, relaxed state.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Often mislabeled as sleep dentistry, sedation dentistry or dental sedation uses medication to help patients relax during their dental procedure. Many patients suffering from dental anxiety or phobia may find dental sedation to be a helpful addition to their upcoming procedure. As the medication is safe for almost all patients, it can be utilized throughout almost any procedure, such as routine cleanings as well as extensive surgical procedures.

Dental Sedation Options

There are varying levels of dental sedation, each of which are recommended based on the patient’s needs as well as their upcoming procedure. These levels include:

Minimal sedation: This light sedation is frequently recommended to children or patients undergoing routine cleanings. Often administered in the form of nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas, minimal sedation allows patients to remain completely conscious yet relaxed during their procedure. As the medication wears off relatively quickly, patients are able to drive home by the end of their appointment.

Moderate sedation: Administered orally as a pill, patients undergoing moderate sedation remain conscious and responsive throughout their procedure. However, many often do not remember the details of their procedure. As a result, moderate sedation is an ideal option for individuals suffering from dental anxiety or phobia or patients undergoing more complex procedures.

Deep Sedation: Also known as intravenous sedation, the medication used in this form of dental sedation is administered intravenously under the close eye of a specially trained sedation professional. Similar to moderate sedation, patients remain conscious yet many feel as if they are asleep. Deep sedation is frequently recommended for individuals undergoing surgical procedures as it allows the dentist to complete a number of procedures during one session.

General Anesthesia: Unlike other forms of sedation which can be completed in the dentists’ office, general anesthesia requires that patients are admitted to a hospital or surgery center where a certified anesthesiologist can monitor the individual’s vital signs. General anesthesia is often reserved for extensive procedures, such as facial reconstruction or TMJ surgery. 

Considering Dental Sedation? Contact Us Today

At the oral surgery practice of Dr. Snehal Patel, our team is proud to offer a variety of sedation options for our Northern Virginia patients. For more information about the different uses of dental sedation, contact Lorton Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery today. With two offices conveniently located in Lorton and Springfield, our oral surgeon can help you determine which sedation option best suits your needs.