Dental Articles - Edmonton

Did your dentist say that you need to remove your wisdom tooth? Then chances that are you are feeling anxious and have a lot of questions in your head. Most people who are recommended wisdom teeth removal have several concerns – what will the procedure look like? Will it be painful? Do they put you to sleep for wisdom teeth removal?

Dental procedures have evolved with the advancing technologies. Today, the procedure for wisdom teeth removal is painless. All thanks to the use of anesthesia. But, being anesthetized does not mean that you will fall asleep during the treatment. However, this is possible at times. How? Read on to find out your anesthesia options and what can make you fall asleep during wisdom teeth removal:

Sedation Dentistry

Fear and anxiety are common among patients when they are asked to undergo a surgical procedure like wisdom teeth removal. Sedation dentistry helps patients overcome this fear and be comfortable during a surgical procedure. It involves the use of medication to relax uncomfortable patients. In most cases, you will remain conscious. However, feeling calm may make you fall asleep. This is the reason why sedation dentistry is also referred to as ‘sleep dentistry.’ A person sedated with deeper levels of anesthesia may also not remember anything from the appointment.

For a wisdom tooth removal procedure, dentists anesthetize you in various ways. Let’s see the different options available:

Anesthesia and Sedative Options

Dentists usually analyze the complexity of the procedure and take into account your anxiety levels while choosing the type of anesthesia. This is done by a one-on-one conversation and a digital X-ray. Most common types of sedatives used by dentists for wisdom teeth removal include –

Local Anesthesia

This is one of the most common forms of anesthesia used by dentists to relax patients during wisdom teeth removal. Local anesthesia numbs the area of the mouth that is to be treated. You do not feel any pain during the process.

Conscious Sedation

If this is recommended, then you are asked to take oral medication and an anti-anxiety pill shortly before the procedure. As the name suggests, the medication keeps you conscious and only blocks sensations of pain. However, if given in larger doses, it can make you fall asleep.

Intravenous (IV) Sedation

IV sedation is administered through medications taken orally or through the veins. It works quickly and lets you be conscious during the treatment. However, you won’t remember much of what happened during the appointment. Since IV sedation does not provide pain relief, it is generally mixed with local anesthesia.

General Anesthesia

It combines oral and IV medications to sedate you to a level where you become unconscious. Once, you are fully awake you won’t remember anything about the treatment.

Nitrous oxide or Laughing Gas

This type of sedation is a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen that you breathe through a mask placed over your nose. It helps reduce anxiety during the treatment. Oral medications may be used along with nitrous oxide and that can leave you groggy.

So, the answer to the question – do they put you to sleep during wisdom teeth removal – is, not necessarily. If you have wisdom teeth problems or any concerns regarding the treatment, then connect with us at Floss and Gloss Dental today.

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Dentist Edmonton