Feeling nervous about your upcoming procedure? We get it. Dr. Puckett and his caring staff understand that oral surgery, especially when it comes to those that require sedation methods, is not something anyone looks forward to. Many people are apprehensive about the idea of being “put under.” They may also face heightened anxiety over the prospect of oral surgery, even for relatively minor procedures like soft tissue grafting.
Part of a successful oral surgery is making it as comfortable as possible, which is why we offer sedation options with anesthesia: so you’re pain-free and at-ease. So don’t worry; you’re in good hands. Our gentle and caring team is here to assist you and put you at ease.
Why Dental Sedation is Often Necessary in Oral Surgery
You may be wondering why you’d need any sedation for a procedure like a simple tooth extraction. Aside from dental anxiety, there are actually quite a few reasons we offer patients multiple options for sedation dentistry during their oral surgery:
- Your teeth are sensitive.
- You have an overactive gag reflex.
- The patient is a child.
- The patient is neurodivergent in a way that makes them reactive to stressful situations or their behavior unpredictable.
- You have a heart condition.
- You have a movement disorder.
- You have a low pain threshold.
- The oral or maxillofacial procedure is long/complex/extensive, etc.
Addressing Your Concerns About Anesthesia & Sedation for Oral Surgery
To help alleviate your concerns regarding anesthesia and sedation for oral surgery, we’ll sit down with you and discuss your options. We review every detail of the anesthesia procedure — what to expect, recovery times, and various alternatives you may be able to choose.
Types of Anesthesia & Common Procedures
The type of anesthesias we’ll discuss in your consultation will largely depend on the extent of the oral procedure you’re having done. After all, pulling a tooth is a little different than installing a dental implant. Our oral surgeon is experienced and certified in all forms of anesthesia, so don’t worry; we’ve got you:
- Local anesthesia is administered by injection at the site of the procedure. It blocks nerve receptors at the site so you can’t feel pain in that area. We use local anesthesias for simple procedures like fillings, crowns and minor extractions.
- General anesthesia is administered via IV. It puts you in a chemically-induced sleep that doesn’t allow you to feel pain during the oral surgery. General anesthesia is used for complex surgeries like full mouth reconstructions, maxillofacial surgery and wisdom tooth removals.
Types of Sedation for Oral Surgery
The type of sedation we’ll use for your dental procedure also depends on the extent of the surgery, but it more so depends on your preferences. Like we discussed, people that have conditions like anxiety, a sensitive gag reflex, or a movement disorder might need complete sedation for a simple procedure like a filling.
There are 4 types of sedation we use for oral surgery:
Oral Anti-Anxiety Medications for Simpler Surgeries
If your oral surgery is a simple procedure like the soft tissue grafting we mentioned, or a simple tooth extraction, we provide sedation options that are more for your own comfort than anything else. Oral sedatives like diazepam usually do the trick; you’re awake for the procedure, but drowsy and relaxed.
Sedation by Local Injection for Pediatric Oral Surgeries
For children, we often use intramuscular sedation for oral surgery in the form of a shot, as it’s simple to administer, completely safe, and saves the child the stress and trauma of a situation they may find scary or might not understand.
Conscious & Unconscious Anesthesia for Complex Procedures
For more complicated oral surgeries like dental bone grafting, extracting an impacted wisdom tooth, or having dental implant surgery, we provide IV sedation that ranges from a light unconsciousness to complete unconsciousness with general anesthesia.
- Conscious IV sedation involves administering anti-anxiety medications via IV. Typically, patients are awake but groggy, and usually have little to no memory of the procedure.
- General anesthesia, or twilight sedation, is the most powerful type of sedation used for complex oral surgery procedures because it keeps you unconscious and pain-free.
Our office does not use nitrous oxide as a sedation method. Of all the options to pair with anesthesia during an oral surgery, nitrous is less safe, less reliable, and can cause nausea and vomiting.
We’re here for you. We like to think of our patients as an extended family. Our staff does everything we can so you feel as safe, relaxed and as comfortable as possible. We welcome your questions and concerns, so never be afraid to ask questions about anesthesia, sedation, your procedure, or anything else about the oral surgery process.
Dr. Puckett: Certified & Trained in IV Sedation for Oral Surgery
As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Puckett is extensively trained in the administration of sedatives, anesthesia and IV sedation to provide patients the highest level of safety and comfort. He is accredited by the state of Ohio. Wilmington Oral Surgery performs office-based IV anesthesia with the highest standards of care.
Most importantly, Dr. Puckett cares for the comfort and contentment of his patients. He routinely treats people from all age ranges, from geriatric to pediatric, including infants. He is specialized in treating medically complicated patients and will coordinate with your physician to ensure you receive the highest level of care, no matter your unique needs.
Learn more about the anesthesia and sedation options we offer patients for their oral surgeries, and feel free to reach out with any questions.
