Anesthesia

Several methods of anesthesia are available. The method of anesthesia that is chosen for or by a patient depends upon the nature of the surgical procedure and the patient’s level of apprehension. The comfort and safety of our patients are of the upmost importance to us.

Anesthesia Options

The following table illustrates the choices of anesthesia, a description of the anesthetic technique, and the usual indications for that technique.

  • Types of Anesthesia
  • Method Local Anesthetic
    Description of Technique The patient remains totally conscious throughout the procedure. A local anesthetic (e.g. lidocaine) is administered in the area where the surgery is to be performed. Local anesthetic is used in conjunction with the other methods of anesthesia in all oral surgery procedures.
    Usual Indications Simple oral surgery procedures such as minor soft tissue procedures and simple tooth extractions.
  • Method Nitrous Oxide Sedation with Local Anesthetic
    Description of Technique A mixture of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oxygen is administered through a nasal breathing apparatus. The patient remains conscious in a relaxed condition. Nitrous oxide has a sedative and analgesic (pain- controlling) effect.
    Usual Indications Simple oral surgery procedures to more involved procedures such as removal of wisdom teeth and placement of dental implants. There are some contraindications of using Nitrous Oxide. A thorough evaluation of your heath history will be performed.
  • Method Office Based Intravenous Sedation with Local Anesthetic*
    Description of Technique Intravenous sedation (IV Sedation) is an option that allows for dental procedures to be performed while the patient is sedated through medications administered through an intravenous line (I.V.). It is often referred to as “sleep dentistry” or “twilight dentistry”. Unlike General Anesthesia, where a patient is fully unconscious, sleep dentistry places the patient in a highly relaxed, sleep-like state. The patient’s vital signs are closely monitored.

    Intravenous sedation (IV sedation) is an option that allows for dental procedures to be performed while you are under the influence of a sedative drug administered via an injection. It is often referred to as “sleep dentistry” or “twilight dentistry”.

    Sleep dentistry is different to surgical procedures performed under general anaesthetic—you are not unconscious, but rather in an induced highly relaxed, sleep-like state.

    When you ‘wake up’ you will not remember anything about the entire procedure, will feel no pain during the procedure and will feel like no time has passed. On the National Dental Care team are dentists trained in the specifics of sleep dentistry and qualified to perform procedures using this method.

    – See more at: https://www.nationaldentalcare.com.au/treatment/iv-sedation/#sthash.3jJVGqan.dpuf

    Usual Indications Intravenous sedation is available for all types of oral surgery. A patient may choose intravenous sedation for simple procedures depending on their level of anxiety. Most people having their wisdom teeth removed or having a dental implant placed will choose intravenous sedation. Intravenous sedation may be necessary if local anesthesia fails to anesthetize the surgical site which often occurs in the presence of infection.
  • Method Hospital or Surgery Center Based General Anesthesia
    Description of Technique A patient is admitted to a hospital or surgery center where anesthesia is administered by an anesthesiologist. Dr. Davidson has privileges at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, FL. All of our surgical cases requiring General Anesthesia are scheduled at TGH.
    Usual Indications Indicated for patients undergoing extensive procedures such as face and jaw reconstruction and TMJ surgery. Also indicated for patients with medical conditions such as heart disease or lung disease who require general anesthesia and/or for patients in which office-based IV sedation could not be achieved.

Again, when it comes to anesthesia, our first priority is the patient’s comfort and safety. If you have any concerns regarding the type of anesthesia that will be administered during your oral surgery procedure, please do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with Dr. Davidson at the time of your consultation.

Intravenous Sedation (“Twilight Sedation”)

Our office offers our patients the option of Intravenous Sedation or Dental Intravenous Anesthesia or to some it is referred to as “Twilight Sedation” for their dental treatment. Intravenous Sedation or “twilight sleep” helps you to be comfortable and calm when undergoing dental procedures. Your treatment can be completed under intravenous sedation. Intravenous sedation or “IV sedation” (twilight sedation) is designed to better enable you to undergo your dental procedures while you are very relaxed; it will enable you to tolerate as well as not remember those procedures that may be very uncomfortable for you. IV sedation will essentially help alleviate the anxiety associated with your treatment. You may not always be asleep but you will be comfortable, calm and relaxed, drifting in and out of sleep – a “twilight sleep”.

If you choose the option of intravenous sedation your IV sedation/anesthesia is administered and monitored by Dr. Davidson, therefore eliminating the costly expense of having your treatment carried out in an operating room or same day surgical facility.

How is the IV sedation administered?

A thin needle will be introduced into a vein in your arm or hand. The needle will be attached to an intravenous tube through which medication will be given to help you relax and feel comfortable. At times a patient’s vein may not be maintainable, in these situations the medications will be administered and the needle retrieved – both scenarios will achieve the same desired level of conscious sedation. Once again some patients may be asleep while others will slip in and out of sleep. Some patients with medical conditions and/or on specific drug regimens may only be lightly sedated and may not sleep at all.

The goal of IV sedation is to use as little medication as possible to get the treatment completed. It is very safe, much safer than oral sedation. With IV sedation a constant “drip” is maintained via the intravenous tube. At any time an antidote can be administered to reverse the effects of the medications if necessary.