Anesthesia and Sedation for Dentistry
Dentist Anesthesiologists evaluate all aspects of pain and anxiety control to tailor anesthetic techniques to each patient. They consider the following factors to determine the proper anesthetic plan:
- Fear and anxiety level
- Gag reflex
- Procedural complexity
- Medical history
- Age
- Mental development
- Local anesthetic effectiveness
After reviewing the patient’s medical history and surgical plan, Dentist Anesthesiologists are able to formulate an anesthetic plan. This plan may include one or more of the following techniques:
- Oral sedation (mainly for preoperative anxiolysis)
- Intravenous moderate sedation (depressed level of consciousness, easily arousable)
- Deep sedation (depressed level of consciousness, not easily arousable)
- General anesthesia (unconscious, not arousable)
Airway management for the generally anesthetized (unconscious) patient depends on a number of variables and include one of the following techniques:
- Open airway- indicated for procedures with minimal water usage and bleeding
- Laryngeal mask airway- an elliptical mask which is seated over the larynx and maintains good airway patency
- Oral/nasal endotracheal intubation- indicated for procedures with significant water usage and bleeding and compromised airway patency
Dentist anesthesiologists achieve proficiency in all these techniques, demonstrating efficiency and competence. They also understand the pharmacology of oral and parenteral drugs and actively titrate combinations of various drug delivery routes (oral, intramuscular, intravenous) to ensure safe and effective anesthesia.
Who Can Benefit from Dental Anesthesia?*
- Toddlers with rampant carries.
- Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease/dementia for whom the dental office has become unfamiliar and ability to cooperate is compromised.
- Adults with tremor disorders like Parkinson’s disease or cerebral palsy whose involuntary movements make even minor treatment risky.
- Children with ADD or ADHD who simply can’t sit still.
- Patients on the autism spectrum for whom unfamiliar surroundings may be a problem and/or with whom two-way communication can be difficult.
- People with developmental disabilities whose ability to follow directions may be limited.
- Individuals with psychiatric disorders who might injure themselves and the dental team during treatment.
- And those who avoid the dental care they need for their overall health because they are simply terrified.