Does the Dentist Put You to Sleep While Periodontal Surgery?

Periodontal surgeries are usually known as gum surgeries. Examples include gum lift surgery, flap surgery, scaling and root planing, bone regeneration, etc. They can be complex and time-consuming. Most gum surgeries typically take two hours to finish. They bring a lot of dental anxiety to patients. The dentist or periodontist usually recommends a periodontal treatment in Spring, TX to treat gingivitis or periodontitis.

To put the patients to sleep, the expert uses dental sedation. It is a perfect choice for patients that have a fear of the procedure or who prefer to sleep during the treatment. Since, the professional works faster when the patient is under sedation, it leads to fewer appointments.

How Painful is Periodontal Surgery?

Periodontal surgeries are not painful. It’s because, during the procedure, the surgeon uses local anesthesia on the soft tissues. It helps to reduce pain and unpleasant feelings during the treatment.

But, after the periodontal surgery gets complete, it is common to feel some discomfort for at least a few weeks. To successfully recover, the professional will recommend prescription medication. Make sure you take these medicines as directed by the dentist near you.

Why Do Dentists Put You Sleep While Surgery?

Few periodontal treatments include folding, cutting, or stretching of gum tissues. The periodontist or the dentist may need to scrape the plaque accumulation from the tooth roots. So during periodontal surgery, the dentist and periodontist use sedation dentistry that lets the patient sleep during the procedure.

Sedation dentistry usually involves sedatives or general anesthesia. Dental sedation helps to get rid of pain and calm fears. But if sedation dentistry becomes unavailable, the periodontist or the dentist uses local anesthesia to prevent the pain during the process.

Different Sedation Types Available for Periodontal Surgery

Below are the different types of sedation options:

• Oral Conscious Sedation

This sedation type includes digesting the pill one hour before the periodontal surgery. It puts the patient in a state of full relaxation. The patient may even fall asleep. The main benefit of oral conscious sedation is that the patient will have little or no memory of the surgical treatment.

Before you receive conscious sedation, the professional will ask you to avoid eating food for six hours before the surgical procedure. After that, you can have a normal diet.

• IV Sedation

IV sedation involves injecting the sedative medicine directly into the bloodstream. The instant effects allow the patient to get in deep relaxation. It helps a few patients sleep peacefully all across the procedure. Moreover, the patients have little or zero memory of the periodontal surgery.

• Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is a mild sedative option used to manage anxiety and pain during periodontal treatment. It’sodorless and a colorless blend of oxygen and nitrous oxide inhaled via the nose. The dentist uses this sedative option alone or in a blend with oral conscious sedation.

Although nitrous oxide sedation offers immediate calming effects, it fades off quickly after the gas flow stops. Patients will feel awake during the surgical procedure. But they will feel much more relaxed. But, certain medical conditions may contradict inhaled sedation use. So, before using this sedative type, your doctor will check your medical history thoroughly.

The dentist or periodontist at Paul Graf DDS will help to choose the sedation option suitable for your unique case depending on your medical and dental history.

Dental Sedation and Safety

Make sure the professional you choose is experienced and completely trained to perform sedation dentistry during periodontal surgery. He/she should also evaluate your medical history, medicines you are taking, and signs during the sedation.

In case of negative reactions, the expert must be completely ready to use reversal medicines and oxygen equipment. Very few people experience side effects from dental sedation. But that is generally rare.

Make sure you ask someone to drive you home after the periodontal surgery. The sedative usually fades off within one hour. But till then, you will need someone to look after you till it happens.

Fix an Appointment for Periodontal Treatment Near You Today

Periodontal disease can get worse when you hesitate to get treatment. All our doctors have done advanced training in sedation dentistry. They know how to help patients stay relaxed and comfortable during the periodontal procedure.