Anesthesia Options | Staying Comfortable During Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery

Since 2250 B.C., dentists have been using various types of anesthesia to keep patients comfortable during oral surgeries. Long ago, you'd be lucky to receive a clay tablet or some wine to treat your discomfort. But today there are much more effective medications available to keep you comfortable while having your wisdom teeth removed.

Local Anesthesia

Local anesthesia is the main medication that will keep you physically comfortable during your operation. Local anesthesia is injected directly into the gums, which may make you worry that it will be painful. However, such fear is unnecessary because your dentist will apply a gum-numbing agent to the area before giving you the injection.

Nitrous Oxide

If you do find yourself worrying about receiving a local anesthetic injection, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. Be honest with your dentist about any anxiety you experience; you may be relieved to find that your dentist can treat anxiety with nitrous oxide.

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, works wonders for relieving pre-surgery anxiety. The nice thing about laughing gas is that you can control how much you receive. Then, after your anxiety has been reduced to a tolerable level, your dentist can administer local anesthesia.

Oral Medications

If the thought of inhaling nitrous oxide makes you uneasy, or if the gas is simply not strong enough to treat your anxiety, speak with your dentist about the possibility of using oral medications. Medications such as Valium and Ativan are stronger than nitrous oxide, and they may work better for you.

Twilight Anesthesia

If both nitrous oxide and oral medications are not strong enough to relieve your anxiety, speak with your dentist about twilight anesthesia. This form of sedation places you in a relaxed state of reduced awareness.

Twilight anesthesia will provide you with the most comfortable experience possible during your wisdom tooth removal operation. Though you will be awake the whole time, you will not be aware of what's happening during the surgery.

Unfortunately, twilight anesthesia is quite strong, so you won't be able to drive home after receiving it. Instead, you'll have to arrange for someone else to take you home. But if you are suffering from severe pre-surgery anxiety, twilight anesthesia is likely the best option for you.

In order to be comfortable with your wisdom tooth removal, you need to be comfortable with your dentist. So always speak openly with your dentist about any preferences and concerns you may have regarding your surgery. For more information, contact care facilities like Neu Family Dental Center.


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