If you have missing teeth and are considering dental implants, you may wonder if anesthesia is medically necessary. Pain can be an additional worry for patients who are anxious about their dental implant surgery or have generalized anxiety about the dentist. Dr. Mark Sowell offers comfortable, effective dental implant treatment using dental sedation in his Plano, TX dental office. Learn more about sedation for dental implants.
Will I Be Sedated for Dental Implants?
The dental implant process includes oral surgery, which requires anesthesia to keeps patients comfortable. Although you will be unable to feel what is happening during the surgery, there are different types of anesthesia that can provide pain-free treatment during surgery. However, unconsciousness is not a necessity for dental implants and can bring additional risks and expenses. How many dental implants you receive, your oral surgeon’s preferences, as well as your own comfort will help determine which anesthetic you receive.
Different Types of Anesthetic
If you only require one or two dental implants, you may be more comfortable under only local anesthetic. However, if you are lacking sufficient healthy jawbone tissue to support an implant, you may need bone grafting to reinforce it. In this surgery, healthy bone tissue is taken from another part of the body and placed to reinforce your jawbone tissue and support the dental implant. For this procedure, your oral surgeon may use a general anesthetic that renders you unconscious.
Conscious sedation is another dental sedation treatment option. This type of sedation helps relax patients and is often used in combination with a local anesthetic. This type of sedative can be taken as an oral medication or nitrous oxide gas. With conscious sedation, you will be aware of your surroundings but will be completely relaxed. In addition, conscious sedation is a great choice for anxious and fearful patients.
Though it may seem ideal to have general anesthesia, it is not usually necessary and comes with greater risks and a longer recovery time. Local anesthesia is less likely to be accompanied by unpleasant side effects. Review your options for sedation and anesthesia with Dr. Sowell so he can help you make the decision that is right for you.
Receive Dental Implants in Plano, TX
If you have damaged or missing teeth, dental implants are a permanent solution for restoring the appearance and function of your smile. Meanwhile, you can rest assured Dr. Sowell will ensure you feel safe and comfortable during the implant procedure. Call Aesthetic Dentistry Centre, the office of Dr. Mark Sowell, in Plano, TX at (972) 382-6855, or schedule a complimentary consultation online today!