Anesthesia

Dental anesthesiology is the anesthesia of the teeth and oral regions. As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Sonneveled is an expert at administering and monitoring anesthesia during dental and facial cosmetic surgeries. Depending on the type of surgical procedure and the patients’ comfort level, the right route and dosage of anesthesia can be used.

Anesthesia Fort Worth & Arlington

Dental anesthetics are used for two main reasons:

  1. to prevent or reduce pain during a dental procedure and
  2. to prevent spontaneous movement of the patient during the dental procedure (i.e., conscious sedation).

Learn More About Anesthesia

It is very beneficial to use dental anesthesia for patients with fear, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and/or other medical conditions that may be aggravated by stress. A dental anesthetic is especially important for patients with more sensitive teeth, who might feel greater pain during a procedure.

We offer the following anesthesia services to our patients during surgery.

Topical or local anesthesia: Simple oral surgery procedures can be done under local anesthesia. The anesthetic is injected in the area of the surgery so the patient cannot feel the pain or pressure associated with the procedure although they are fully conscious.

Nerve blocks (regional anesthesia): The mouth is enervated with nerves. Peripheral nerve blocks are anesthetics injected near a specific nerve or bundle of nerves to block sensations in the targeted area of treatment. They usually last longer than local anesthetics and are commonly used with sedative pills or IV sedation.

Intravenous sedation (moderate to deep): Also known as ‘twilight sedation,’ an IV sedation that uses mild doses of drugs to block pain, reduce anxiety, and help the patient stay calm during and for some time after the procedure. The patient may have no memory of the procedure, which is why this anesthesia is commonly referred to put patients in the ‘twilight state.’ In contrast to general anesthesia, the patient is semi-conscious and does not require any ventilation. It has a faster recovery time and few side effects as well.

Nitrous oxide sedation: Nitrous oxide or the laughing gas is a form of inhalation sedation often used in dental anesthesia. Patients become calm and drowsy during the procedure but are able to maintain bodily functions, including breathing on their own. They may experience some amnesia but emerge quickly out of it as the effects wear out.

General anesthesia (involving all the muscles of respiration): For more complex oral surgery, general anesthesia may be offered so the patient fully falls asleep, is immobilized, and feels no pain. This relaxes the entire respiratory system of the patient, and supplemental oxygen is delivered through a nasal tube while all vital signs remain under constant monitoring. Typically this is done in a hospital or surgery center setting.

Give us a call today at 817-927-1818 or fill out the form below to schedule an appointment. You’ll be happy you chose Facial & Cosmetic Surgery Fort Worth.

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