Everything You Need to Know About Dental Anesthesia in 2022

Is anesthesia for oral surgery safe and effective for everyone? Patients with certain health conditions may not be eligible to receive office-based sedation. But, for most patients, oral sedation and IV sedation are great at relieving patients’ anxiety and creating the optimal conditions during surgery.

If you are wondering about the safety of dental surgery sedation, this guide tells you everything you need to know. Learn the facts regarding patient deaths connected to oral and IV sedation during dental procedures and oral surgery. And see how dentists and oral surgeons use sedation therapies to help patients overcome their dental anxieties and achieve their best possible oral health.

Safety and Effectiveness of Anesthesia and Sedation in Oral Surgery 2022

Before undergoing oral surgery, patients might question if anesthesia for oral surgery is safe. A study from 2017, published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, determined that deaths caused by dental anesthesia since 1955 account for three out of every million patients who receive office-based sedation. In short, office-based dental surgery sedation is safe and effective when administered by a certified and licensed practitioner.

Put another way, a 0.0003% risk is negligible when playing the odds. But some patients have general anxiety about visiting the dentist or oral surgeon, which causes hesitancy when it comes to the idea of sedation during surgery. This guide aims to provide transparent information for patients regarding the effectiveness and safety of oral surgery sedation and dental anesthesia.

Who offers dental and oral surgery sedation?

Providing office-based sedation means that doctors must achieve certifications and licensure beyond that required of a general dentist. Doctors are trained to monitor and manage patients’ vitals, airways, deliver sedation medications, and take corrective measures in the rare event of an adverse patient reaction to the sedative. Oral surgeons and skilled nurses are licensed by an entity authorized by the state’s board of health to ensure the surgical team knows how to respond appropriately in the event of a patient complication or an emergency while sedated.

Office-Based Anesthesia: Training, Credentials, and Licensing Requirements

Beyond offering nitrous oxide, additional training and licensing are required of practices that offer office-based sedation for patients during dental and oral surgery procedures. Doctors must complete training courses and achieve certifications in oral sedation and IV sedation before satisfying the state’s licensing requirements.

What is the purpose of dental sedation?

The purpose of dental sedation is to put patients in a cooperative and comfortable state for the duration of a procedure. Unlike the conscious effects of nitrous oxide, oral and IV sedation put patients into a sleep-like state. Oral and IV sedation puts the patient in a deeply calm state to ensure the optimal conditions for a successful surgery.

What is the biggest risk of oral surgery anesthesia?

Complications are exceedingly rare with oral surgery anesthesia. Still, patients need to choose an experienced and skilled surgeon who successfully administers oral and IV sedation with a proven record. Airway compilations and human error account for the most common problems of these few instances.

Who is a suitable candidate for oral surgery anesthesia?

The best reason to use oral surgery anesthesia instead of laughing gas is to help the patient relax. If you do not experience any anxieties regarding your upcoming surgery, dental sedation may not be necessary. Other reasons you may not be a good candidate for office-based sedation include:

• Pregnancy
• Stuffy nose
• Chronic respiratory illness or bronchitis
• Sleep apnea
• Too young or old
• Allergy to the sedative medications
• Currently taking conflicting medications
• Alcohol is in your system