Sedation OptionsAt East Lyme Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery safety and allowing patients to feel at ease is our top priority. Oral surgery involves procedures that require a patient to stay still while the necessary work is being done and it can be an anxious experience for some. Dentistry also involves procedures containing complex surgery where the patient must be unconscious. Whatever the case may be, modern dentistry is able to eliminate pain and anxiety through sedation. There are multiple sedation methods that vary in effectiveness depending on the situation at hand and we will be going through the ones available, ranging from mild to high effectiveness. Local AnestheticThis is the most used anesthetic - it is a numbing agent that is injected into the area where any surgical procedure will be performed. This is used for extractions, filling cavities, and other procedures that do not require the patient to be sedated outside of being numb. Nitrous OxideOftentimes, nitrous oxide is a personal preference if the patient would like to have it during their surgical procedure or not. Also known as “laughing gas”, this form of sedation calms the mind and puts the patient at ease. It can make a visit less stressful/boring for a person and is the mildest form of mind-altering sedation. IV AnesthesiaThis form of sedation puts patients in a sense of deep relaxation with no recollection of the procedure after it has begun to wear off. This is commonly used for wisdom tooth removal, but it is also used when placing implants or simply when a patient is very nervous. The side effect of IV anesthesia is that the patient will feel very drowsy and not entirely aware of their surroundings when they leave. This is why we ask that they have someone to take them home if they will undergo this form of sedation. Inpatient General AnesthesiaGeneral Anesthesia is what you’d imagine is used during traditional surgery procedures - the patient remains unconscious for the duration that is required. Jaw based surgery is when this would be used since the upmost precision and focus is required for the well being of the patient. The same effects of drowsiness as IV anesthesia also apply here. General anesthesia may also be used for patients who are extremely fearful. It is always better to use what is best for the situation and individual patient at hand. Safety is a top priority in all aspects of the medical field and the easier the operator is able to complete the procedure, the safer the patient is. Additional InformationPeople come from all sorts of backgrounds and everyone has their own things that trigger anxiety. We fully understand why someone might be nervous or anxious when visiting, but our goal is to make everyone feel at ease at East Lyme Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. If you would like to set up an appointment with us or have any questions, you can give us a call at (860) 934-7809. We are ready to give you the best smile possible! |
Phone(860) 934-7809 HoursMon: 8:00am–4:00pm Tue: 8:00am–4:00pm Wed: Closed Thur: 8:00am–4:00pm Fri: 8:00am–4:00pm |