Sedation Dentistry

When you are preparing for oral surgery, we understand that you may feel apprehensive. At Oral Surgical Associates, our goal is to help you feel confident and comfortable before, during, and after your treatment. For this reason, we offer several effective means of maintaining your comfort under our care. These methods include intravenous (IV) sedation, local anesthesia, and nitrous oxide. Dr. Eugene Morris or Dr. Armando Gama will explain your options and help you choose the right one for your health and wellbeing. To learn more about sedation dentistry, contact our Missoula practice to schedule a consultation.

Types of Sedation

Dr. Morris and Dr. Gama use extremely precise and gentle methods for minimal discomfort surgery. Nevertheless, it is normal to feel nervous. To further reduce your physical discomfort and to calm your worries, we offer three highly effective forms of sedation. They include:

• General sedation: You will receive general anesthesia or conscious sedation through an IV. With this method of sedation, you will be fully asleep. If you elect to undergo IV sedation, you will need to have someone drive you to and from your dental appointment.

• Local anesthesia: Administered via injection, local anesthesia blocks nerve impulses in the treatment area. Therefore, during your procedure, you will feel little more than mild pressure. You will remain fully aware of everything going on around you.

• Nitrous oxide: Otherwise known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is administered through a mask. It will soothe your nerves and make you feel happy. In some cases, it can also make you sleepy. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly.

Choosing Your Sedation Method

Dr. Morris or Dr. Gama will help you choose the right sedation option for your needs. Many patients receive IV sedation, which is customized according your particular case. This method is almost always used for wisdom tooth removal, and other lengthy procedures, or patients with dental phobia. Local anesthesia may be recommended if are undergoing a routine procedure and do not have high anxiety in the dentists' chair. Alternatively, general anesthesia may be right for more complex procedures, such as facial trauma surgery.

Preparing for General Anesthesia

To ensure your safety, your doctor will go review your medical history and medications prior to surgery. Our doctors take great care to weigh your particular health considerations when choosing the right sedation therapy for you. Our number one concern is your safety and comfort. With our extensive experience in surgery and anesthesia, you can rest assured that you are in expert, caring hands.

If we decide that general anesthesia is appropriate in your case, you should not eat or drink anything for six hours before your appointment. After administering the medications, we will carefully monitor your oxygen levels on our CO₂ monitors. Thanks to our precision and caution, you will remain safe and asleep throughout your procedure, and free of discomfort.

Contact Oral Surgical Associates Today & Learn More

To learn more about our various sedation options and how they can benefit you, contact our office today.