Wisdom teeth removal: Is sedation an option?

Wisdom teeth removal: Is sedation an option?

It’s important for patients to have their wisdom teeth removed in their late teens or early twenties to avoid a host of complications that may arise from leaving the wisdom teeth in place.

Nonetheless, the prospect of having the wisdom teeth removed can instigate significant anxiety among some patients. To alleviate their fears, many patients facing this procedure turn to Dr. Carlos Ibañez, a sedation dentist serving Charlottesville, for greater peace of mind.

Prior to performing a procedure, Dr. Ibañez administers a drug to help the patient achieve a deep state of relaxation. This is a useful technique for wisdom teeth removal.

In the past, patients who were having their wisdom teeth removed were “knocked out” with general anesthesia. However, sedation is safer than general anesthesia, so sedation is a better choice. Although many people refer to sedation dentistry as “sleep dentistry,” patients remain conscious throughout the procedure. They are able to respond to dentists’ commands while under sedation, and the airway is not compromised, as it is with general anesthesia.

An added attraction of sedation dentistry is that patients have no recollection of the procedure after the fact. Patients under sedation also are able to endure longer procedures, so if your dentist expects your wisdom teeth extraction to be complex, sedation may be a particularly good choice for you.

Sedation is not the sole comfort measure used during the extraction of wisdom teeth. It is offered in combination with local anesthesia for maximum comfort. Dentists also often prescribe painkillers for any post-operative issues that may arise.

If you choose sedation dentistry for your wisdom teeth extraction, it’s important to plan accordingly. You should have someone drive you to and, more importantly, from your appointment, and someone should plan to stay with you for the remainder of the day. You will remain a bit drowsy for several hours after the procedure, so do not plan any strenuous activities for that day.

With sedation dentistry, there’s no need to be anxious about having your wisdom teeth removed. To learn more, please contact the office of Dr. Ibañez at 434-295-0911.