subject: Learning The Ins And Outs Of Dental Anesthesia [print this page] When it comes to oral surgery, most in depth procedures will require you to go fully under anesthesia, such as is true of wisdom tooth removals, some dental implants, and major jaw reconstruction. This idea can make many people feel completely uncomfortable and even afraid at the thought of being put under.
This is completely natural-after all, you've just been told that you need an operation and it makes you worry. In fact, the anesthesia probably makes you worry more than the surgery itself since nobody has talked to you about it, it involves something quite mysterious and unknown and you don't like feeling out of control.
First and foremost, realize that anxiety about medical procedures like surgery and anesthesia is completely normal. Fear of something that you don't understand or don't trust is also very normal.
A visit with the anesthesiologist where you can discuss some of your options, risks and benefits, etc. and have your questions answered will go a long way to helping you understand what is going to happen and feel more secure about anesthesia. It is very important to do this visit in person.
It cannot be stressed enough that talking to your physicians in person is very important. Each patient is different and it is impossible to communicate all the relevant information over the internet, via email, in a book or on the telephone.
The process of talking about risks and benefits is a very important one and is a vital part of the process known as informed consent. It is always important to seek advice and information from someone who knows your history, can perform a physical examination, and can talk to you more about risks and benefits.
What follows is some general information to help you be more prepared when you do talk about anesthesia and get the chance to ask your questions. The first question you probably have is whether or not anesthesia is dangerous.
Any time that a person is brought into the hospital, given medications, required procedures, etc. there is a certain amount of risk. This is no different with anesthesia.
Luckily, the serious complications are quite rare (things like allergic reactions, genetic conditions that are not known, etc.) and the common complications are not dangerous, such as nausea, itching, etc. However, anesthesia today is safer than it has ever been before.
Newer medications, new advances in monitoring technology, higher standards of practice, etc. have made serious complications very rare. Of course, part of this depends on what other medical issues might be going on with the patient.
You should talk to your doctor more about the specifics as they apply to you. The type of anesthesia you will receive depends on a number of different factors.
One of these factors is definitely your preference and choice. However, the options may be limited by the requirements of the surgery, your medical condition, etc.
There are four types of anesthesia commonly employed - general, regional, monitored anesthesia care (MAC) and local. General Anesthesia affects your entire body and may be given intravenously or as an inhaled gas.
These medications cause you to lose consciousness. As a result of these medications, you might stop breathing on your own and therefore you might have breaths given to you through a mask or a small tube gently inserted into your lungs through your mouth.
Regional Anesthesia only affects a section of your body, blocking sensation and making it numb. You may remain awake or be sedated.
Spinal and epidural anesthesia fall in this category. The next is Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC, which involves medications given to make you drowsy and to relieve pain.
This type of anesthesia may be given to supplement local anesthesia, or to make the injection of local anesthesia more tolerable. The last is Local Anesthesia, which affects only the location of surgery.
It is usually injected, but can sometimes be given as an ointment, cream or spray. You may remain awake or be sedated for this as well.
This type of anesthesia is usually used for small, less extensive procedures. As you can see, there are many things to know before you have oral surgery which require a sedative.
Talk to your doctor about all or your questions, until you feel a sense of peace about your procedure. It is better to be prepared, then to be surprised.
