Sedation and anesthesia can be a very scary prospect for many parents and patients. Here are some areas that you should consider before making an appointment that includes such procedures.
Forms of sedation – The most popular form of sedation is nitrous oxide. Patients are asked to inhale the gas, which puts them in a relaxed state. Other forms of sedation include administering oral medications or IV solutions.
Forms of anesthesia – There are two types of anesthesia, and they are local and general. Local anesthesia uses injections to numb specific areas of the patient’s mouth. For extra comfort, a dentist may recommend combining local anesthesia with sedation. General anesthesia is an option when patients need extensive work done. The process of general anesthesia involves putting the patient to sleep through the use of IV drugs and gaseous anesthetics.
Before the procedure – It is very important that the patient’s stomach is empty before any form of sedation. Sedation and anesthesia in dental procedures could cause a patient’s airway reflexes to be impaired. This impairment can result in vomiting or lung injuries. Therefore patients are requested to fast at least 12 hours before the procedure. If for some reason you were not able to fast, you should inform your dentist and postpone the procedure for another day.
If you undergo a dental procedure and have temporary or permanent physical damage, it is best to contact a reputed dental malpractice attorney at your earliest.
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If you suspect something like dental implant injury, contact a malpractice attorney immediately.