A: If a patient chooses to have their work done awake, it means that they are fully aware of their surroundings and know that the work is being done in their mouth. Usually when treatment is being done on a patient who is awake, local anesthetic is used in the specific area being worked on. Local anesthetic can also be used in conjunction with nitrous oxide/oxygen to help the patient relax decreasing their anxiety. The patient who has work done asleep is under general anesthesia. A: It is a fluid (lidocaine, articaine) given through use of a syringe and needle injected into the specific area. It temporarily numbs the tooth and surrounding tissues (tongue, lip, cheek etc). This local anesthetic (freezing) lasts from approximately 3-4 hours.
There are many options available to you today in dentistry that was not, many years ago. Our focus is on pain free dentistry so that patients become comfortable coming to the office regularly. Patients can choose the option of having their treatment done awake or asleep. A: General Anesthesia is an effective way of completing dental treatment while the patient is unconscious. A: Any patient with severe anxiety, who is extremely sensitive to sound, sight or sensations of dental treatment and/ or may need extensive treatment. A: An Anesthesiologist is responsible for administering general anesthesia and for closely monitoring and caring for the patient throughout the appointment. Your dentist will discuss the benefits and risks involved in General Anesthesia according to your specific treatment. A: A physical examination is required prior to the General Anesthesia appointment. A form is filled out by your Doctor and given to the Anesthesiologist for information on your medical state to ensure safety during the appointment. Estimates are sent to insurance for coverage information on treatment, costs are then known and don’t become a surprise. Anesthesia costs are paid up front on the day of service.
It is important not to have anything to eat or drink the night prior and up to the appointment time. If you are sick contact your dentist, it may be necessary to arrange another appointment. Wear comfortable clothing, and the person receiving treatment should have someone to stay with them to drive them home afterwards. The patient usually needs one to two days rest depending on the treatment done, after that the patient can usually return to a regular daily routine. A: We offer two ways, depending on the individual patient, breathing through a mask or by use of an injection. A: The patient will only remember up to the point where he or she is seated for the appointment. After General Anesthesia has been administered the patient does not remember anything. A: Usually the patient is very tired and would like to sleep and relax for the remainder or the day.
There are many options available to you today in dentistry that was not, many years ago. Our focus is on pain free dentistry so that patients become comfortable coming to the office regularly. Patients can choose the option of having their treatment done awake or asleep. A: Nitrous oxide oxygen is a combination of two gasses, oxygen and nitrous oxide. They are inhaled by the patient through a mask on their nose for the entire length of the procedure. When the body absorbs them, it has a calming effect. At the end of the appointment 100% oxygen is given to the patient to reverse the effects, the patient is then back to normal, able to drive home and return to a normal daily routine. A: It is safe and effective, for both children and adults. It may not work for everyone, people with nasal congestion, severe anxiety or discomfort wearing a nasal mask may not benefit. A: It’s different for everyone. Most experience relaxation, a sense of well being while others may feel tingling in their hands and feet or may experience weightlessness as if they were floating. It’s mainly a sense of carelessness about what is happening in their mouths for those who are apprehensive about sound sight. A: Let your dentist know if you are taking medication or if you have problems breathing through your nose (nasal congestion). Also eat little or no food before your appointment. A: Very safe. Nitrous oxide/ oxygen is nonaddictive, it is taken easily and the effects are quickly reversed after breathing oxygen.
There are many options available to you today in dentistry that was not, many years ago. Our focus is on pain free dentistry so that patients become comfortable coming to the office regularly. Patients can choose the option of having their treatment done awake or asleep. |
Dental Care FAQs