Understanding Your Anesthesia Options

In the United States, about 36% of people are afraid of dental treatment, with 12% having an extreme fear. 

So what can they do, especially if they need to undergo a surgical procedure?

At Associated Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons in Danbury, Ridgefield, and Southbury, Connecticut, Dr. Roger Badwal and Dr. Anthony Camillo want you to be as comfortable as possible during procedures, so we focus on office-based anesthesia to help reduce your fear, anxiety, and pain.

Here’s more information to help you understand your anesthesia options.

What is office-based anesthesia?

When we give you anesthesia in our office, we’re giving you a medication that will not only relieve the pain you would normally experience during the procedure, but it also allows you to relax. After taking the anesthesia, you may feel sleepy or out of it. You may even experience a sense of euphoria that can distract you from the procedure.

If you frequently feel nervous or anxious when you go to the dentist, anesthesia lets you get the treatment you need.

In our office, we often use it for procedures such as impacted teeth removal, dental implant surgery, jaw surgery, and bone grafting. These are more involved treatments that usually take longer than a typical appointment and can cause more pain than normal.

What are your options for anesthesia?

We offer two common types of anesthesia: nitrous oxide and IV sedation. 

Nitrous oxide (you may know it better as laughing gas) is a mild and temporary form of sedation that helps you relax. You’ll put a mask on your face and inhale the colorless gas along with oxygen.

It both acts and stops quickly: You’ll feel the effects as soon as you start inhaling, and it will wear off as soon as the mask is removed. It’s the only type of sedation where you are allowed to drive home afterwards.

 IV sedation is much more powerful. The medication is delivered straight into your bloodstream, which means it takes effect quickly. You may or may not be conscious during your procedure. Most people are semi-awake, so a procedure that lasts quite a while may only seem to take a few minutes to you. 

If you’re facing a dental surgical procedure and are anxious about it, anesthesia may be a good idea for you. Call our most convenient location to schedule a consultation so we can talk through our options with you. You can also choose your own visit time with our convenient online scheduler.