WEST COUNTY One of the most often heard phrases from patients is “I hate having dental work done.” We understand that oral surgery can be an anxiety provoking event, in particular for patients who have never had any type of surgery in the past. Therefore, we offer a range of options to make your experience more pleasant. Among these options are:
-Deep sedation/General anesthesia—Utilizing medication given through an IV, you are put into a state of sleep similar to a nap so that you are not aware of the surgery. This type of anesthesia requires a responsible adult to drive you home after the surgery, and no food or drink for 6 hours prior to the procedure.
-Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”)—Utilizing medication that is breathed in through a mask on your nose, you are put into an awake but often drowsy state of relaxation. This type of anesthesia does not typically require a driver afterwards.
-Local anesthesia—Utilizing medication that is injected locally into the surgical site, only the area of surgery is “numbed.” This is similar to what your dentist does for a filling, crown, etc. You are completely aware and awake with this type of anesthesia, and it does not require a driver afterwards. This type of anesthesia is always used for surgery even if other types of anesthesia listed above are also used.
-Hospital general anesthesia—This type of anesthesia is utilized for more major surgical procedures (orthognathic surgery, facial trauma, pathology of the jaws) or with certain medical conditions that require additional monitoring. This is performed in conjunction with surgery in a hospital operating room by a separate anesthesia provider.
If you have questions about dental anesthesia in Chesterfield, St. Louis, or St. Peters, Missouri, or if you would like to make an appointment with Dr. Tim Weber, Dr. Rick Weber, Dr. Brent Kincaid or Dr. Brad Carn, please contact one of our offices today.