Oral surgery can be intimidating if you’ve never experienced it before. However, it’s safe when administered by a trained oral surgeon. Are you planning to have oral surgery and wondering what kinds of anesthesia do oral surgeons use? This is good question we’ll look into further below.
What Kinds of Anesthesia Do Oral Surgeons Use?
Oral surgeons use several types of anesthesia. What you receive depends on what type of procedure you undergo.
1. Local Anesthesia
This type of anesthesia is a numbing medication that your surgeon injects into the area they are treating. Local anesthesia meets the needs of minor surgery, such as filling a cavity. When it comes to this type of anesthesia, you will stay awake. For that reason, you will feel the pressure of the instruments – but without pain.
There are also instances when nitrous oxide will be used with this if you want to feel relaxed. Nitrous oxide is also called “laughing gas” and you’ll receive it through a mask placed over your nose. It wears off quickly once your anesthesiologist removes the mask. When it comes to local anesthesia, you will have numbness in your cheek, gums, etc. This can last for hours so you will want to not bite hard until the feeling comes back.
2. IV Sedation
IV sedation is given by an intravenous catheter and is a deeper form of anesthesia. The medicine is titrated and it gives a brief and effective sedation. People may remember conversations before or after the procedure, but not during it.
3. General Anesthesia
This is the type of anesthesia where you are asleep for surgery. General anesthesia is similar to IV sedation because it uses an IV sedative. However, unlike IV sedation, it’s stronger and you won’t remember the procedure. Surgeons use general anesthesia for procedures such as wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, etc. When it comes to general anesthesia you will need to have someone drive you home after the procedure.
Anesthesia by an Anesthesiologist
If you need an extensive procedure such as TMJ surgery, or jaw and face reconstruction, you will be admitted to a surgery center or hospital. In this case an anesthesiologist will administer the anesthesia to you.
Do you have questions about oral surgery? Don’t hesitate to call IOSC today at (423) 296-8210. We will be glad to answer any questions you may have.
