Improving Your Dental Care

Are Patients Sedated For Dental Implant Surgery?

If you are considering dental implants to replace lost or damaged teeth, you might be curious about your sedation options. Because dental implants require invasive surgery, there may be worries about pain. But your dentist will sedate you before the procedure. So, you don't have to worry about discomfort during the procedure.

You can choose from several types of sedation for your dental implant surgery. The type that you and your dentist choose depends upon the length and invasiveness of the surgery and your level of anxiety.

Local anesthesia for short surgeries or patients with no anxiety

A local anesthesia is usually the preferred method of dental surgeons when performing a short surgery. This means that if you are only having one or two dental implants placed, with no need for bone grafting, then a local anesthetic should suffice. A local anesthetic is an injection that numbs the area where the surgery is to be performed.

And if you have little to no dental anxiety, then this sedation method is suitable for you for short surgeries.  

General anesthesia or conscious sedation for patients with anxiety

For patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety, general anesthesia will probably be the best approach. But your dentist will first need to ensure that you are in good health before they can administer general anesthesia. For instance, general anesthesia can be dangerous for patients with heart disease or diabetes. General anesthesia will help both you and your dentist relax during surgery.

However, if you cannot have general anesthesia due to health reasons, then conscious sedation is another option. Conscious sedation usually consists of a local anesthetic and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or an oral sedative to help the patient relax. Although you will be conscious with this sedation type, you won't feel any discomfort, and you'll be in a state of relaxation during the surgery.

Make sure you check with the dental surgeon beforehand because not all dental clinics offer conscious sedation.

General anesthesia for major surgeries

If you are about to undergo major surgery for dental implants, then general anesthesia is usually the best approach to sedation. While unconscious, your surgeon will be able to place multiple dental implants smoothly and without causing you any discomfort. And if you also need bone grafts before your dental implants, general anesthesia may be recommended.

Your dental surgeon will give you some form of sedative before your dental implant surgery. But if you suffer from dental anxiety or fear that you cannot sit comfortably for very long, then make sure you discuss your sedation options with your dentist beforehand.


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