What to Do Before Getting Dental Sedation

Having a dental procedure can make anyone nervous — and no one enjoys the pain that can sometimes be a part of a visit to the dentist. That’s why anesthesia is a great option! However, some people are nervous at the thought of getting anesthesia as well. Dr. Karanvir Sibia and the staff at Ace Dental want you to know all you need to know about getting anesthesia and how you can prepare for your dental procedure.

What are the different kinds of anesthesia?

The type of anesthesia used during a procedure can depend on many things: the type of procedure to be performed, your general health, and how nervous you are about the procedure.

The different types of anesthesia are:

• Local, which numbs the area to be worked on. The patient is able to stay awake and aware of what is happening while not feeling anything.
• Nitrous oxide, which is also known as “laughing gas.” This allows the patient to be relaxed but awake. This is administered with a breathing mask, which means it is a good choice for those who are scared of needles.
• Conscious sedation. This is a mild intravenous sedative that relaxes the patient. The patient will be awake but they may not remember everything that happened during the procedure.
• Deep sedation. This is a mixture of intravenous medications given so the patient can be unconscious throughout the procedure.

What will happen before my oral surgery?

Before your oral surgery, Dr. Sibia will discuss your medical history with you, to make sure it is safe to use anesthesia. You will need to describe any current or past health issues, your family’s health, any medications you take, and any allergies you have. Make sure you answer these questions as honestly and thoroughly as possible. Something that doesn’t seem important to you may actually be very important when it comes to your treatment.

Then, you can discuss with Dr. Sibia what kind of anesthesia will be used, and ask any questions you may have.

You will also be given instructions to follow to prepare for your surgery such as:

• Don’t smoke for 12 hours before your surgery.
• Do not wear any jewelry, contact lenses, or dentures to your surgery.
• Get plenty of rest the night before your procedure.
• Wear loose fitting clothing and a short sleeved shirt.
• You shouldn’t eat or drink anything starting 8 hours before your surgery, depending on the kind of anesthesia that will be used. This will help decrease the possibility of post-operative nausea.

What are other things I should know about anesthesia?

• It is safe. The American Dental Association states that as long as sedation is administered by a dentist who has been properly trained, it is considered to be safe and effective.
• It is easy. Depending on the type of sedation you get, it can be as easy as taking a pill or breathing it in through a breathing mask.
• It isn’t just for major procedures. You may think that your dentist won’t offer you anesthesia for anything less than a surgical procedure, but you may be able to get anesthesia for something as simple as a cleaning or scaling and root planing.
• If you are so nervous at just the thought of going to the dentist that you have put off that appointment for years, anesthesia can help. A lot of people are surprised to find how easy that trip to the dentist is because of anesthesia.
• It can be used safely on children. A pediatric dentist may recommend sedation for your child if they are getting a lot of work done at once, or if your child is having a hard time staying calm while at the dentist.

Is anesthesia expensive?

The cost of anesthesia depends on what kind of anesthesia you get. You can ask the staff at Ace Dental for help figuring out possible prices.

Insurance may help — the Ace Dental office staff would be happy to check with your insurance provider to see what, if any, anesthesia they will cover. We are an in-network provider for most PPO insurance, including Delta, MetLife, Guardian, Humana, Cigna, and Assurant.

We also offer the Ace Dental plan. With this plan, for an annual membership fee you get two cleanings and exams a year, free necessary x-rays, two fluoride treatments, and a discount on other dental procedures. We also take CareCredit, which is basically a credit card for use with health services, with special financing options. You can apply for a CareCredit card through our office.

If you are nervous about an upcoming dental procedure, anesthesia can help relieve those fears! Anesthesia is safe, and it works! If you have any questions about having anesthesia during a dental procedure, give Dr. Sibia and the staff at Ace Dental a call at (916) 772-0111!