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Why Do I
Need Anaesthesia At The Dentist?
To make your dental visit as comfortable as possible, your
dentist may suggest anaesthesia to reduce or eliminate any
pain or anxiety that may be related to your dental treatment.
The type of anaesthesia required for any dental procedure
depends on the needs or preferences of the patient.
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How do I
know if I'm a candidate for dental anaesthesia?
You and your dentist will decide what level of anaesthesia is
right for you. Some patients prefer a higher level of
anaesthesia than others. Children, people with special needs,
such as mental retardation, and those with a condition, such
as a dental phobia may require a higher level of anaesthesia.
The type of anaesthesia administered by your dentist is more
dependent on individual patient preferences than specific
dental procedures.
What are the
levels of dental anaesthesia?
Local anaesthesia is produced by the application or injection
of a drug to eliminate pain in a specific area in the mouth.
Topical anaesthetics are frequently used by your dentist to
numb an area in preparation for administering an injectable
local anaesthetic. Injectable local anaesthetics, such as
Lidocaine, numb mouth tissues in a specific area of your mouth
for a short period of time. Your dentist will probably inject
a local anaesthetic before filling cavities, preparing your
teeth for crowns, or for any surgical procedure. Local
anaesthesia is the most commonly used form of anaesthesia in
the dental office. |
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Conscious
sedation can be used to help you relax during a dental
procedure. Your dentist may administer an anti-anxiety agent,
such as nitrous oxide, or a sedative, in combination with a
local anaesthetic for pain. During conscious sedation, you
will remain calm during treatment, yet rational and responsive
to speech and touch. Anti-anxiety agents and sedatives can be
administered by mouth, inhalation or injection.
Deep
sedation and general anaesthesia is used for complex
procedures and for patients who have trouble controlling
their movements or need a deeper level of anaesthesia
during treatment. During deep sedation you will
be unable to respond appropriately to verbal commands.
During general anaesthesia you will be unconscious. |
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What
should I tell my dentist before receiving anaesthesia?
Your dentist needs to know about all the medications that
you are taking, any allergic reactions you've had to medicines
in the past, and your past and present health conditions.
It's important that you answer your dentist's questions
completely and ask about your concerns. This way your
dentist will be sure to tell you everything you need to
know before receiving treatment. For example, in some
cases, your anaesthesia treatment may require that you
suspend certain medications or abstain from eating or
drinking for a period of time before the treatment.
Is
anaesthesia at the dentist safe?
Although taking any medication involves a certain amount of
risk, the drugs that produce anaesthesia are entirely safe
when administered by a trained anaesthesia provider. The best
thing to do is ask questions about any procedure that you are
not familiar with. Ask about alternatives, training, the
doctor's commitment to continuing education and the
credentials of other personnel in the dental office who might
be assisting with your treatment. Good communication between
the dentist and the patient is the best way of insuring
safety.
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