Anaesthesia
Why do I need anaesthesia at the dental office?
To make your dental visit as comfortable as possible, your dentist
may suggest anaesthesia to reduce or eliminate any pain or anxiety
that may be related to your dental treatment. The type of anaesthesia
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 anaesthesia?
You and your dentist will decide what level of anaesthesia is right
for you. Some patients prefer a higher level of anaesthesia 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 anaesthesia. The type of anaesthesia
administered by your dentist is more dependent on individual patient
preferences than specific dental procedures.
What are the levels of dental anaesthesia?
Local anaesthesia is produced by the application or injection of a
drug to eliminate pain in a specific area in the mouth. Topical
anaesthetics are frequently used by your dentist to numb an area in
preparation for administering an injectable local anaesthetic.
Injectable local anaesthetics, 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 anaesthetic before filling
cavities, preparing your teeth for crowns, or for any surgical
procedure. Local anaesthesia is the most commonly used form of
anaesthesia 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 anaesthetic
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 anaesthesia is used for complex
procedures and for patients who have trouble controlling their
movements or need a deeper level of anaesthesia during treatment.
During deep sedation you will be unable to respond appropriately to
verbal commands. During general anaesthesia you will be unconscious.
What should I tell my dentist before receiving anaesthesia?
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 anaesthesia treatment may require that you suspend certain
medications or abstain from eating or drinking for a period of time
before the treatment.
Is anaesthesia in the dental office safe?
Although taking any medication involves a certain amount of risk,
the drugs that produce anaesthesia are entirely safe when administered
by a trained anaesthesia provider. The best thing to do is ask
questions about any procedure that you are not familiar with. Ask
about alternatives, training, the surgeon'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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