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There are three primary types
of anesthesia
1.
Inhalation
Nitrous oxide
The most
commonly used type of anesthesia is nitrous oxide or “laughing gas”.
Nitrous oxide gas is a sedating gas that is mixed with oxygen to help
make patients feel more comfortable during their dental care. The
patient breathes the gas through their nose during the dental
procedure. With the use of nitrous oxide, most patients are able to
experience a feeling of well-being and euphoria, accompanied by
lightheadedness.
Some of the advantages of
this gas include its rapid onset, lack of lingering effects and the
ability of the patient to drive home unassisted afterward. After the
dental procedure is completed, the nitrous oxide is replaced by oxygen
and the patient remains in the office until he is able to drive home.
Patients are also able to engage in conversation while under its
influence.
2.
Oral conscious sedation
During oral sedation, the
patient takes medication before the treatment is scheduled to begin.
The patient should soon become drowsy and treatment begins. The effects
generally last for about four hours. The patient’s vital signs are
monitored and their safety ensured. A commonly administered oral
sedative in Halcion.
Advantages of oral conscious
sedation include its ease of administration and low incidence of side
effects. Patients are ale to breathe independently and retain their
ability to interact with and respond to the dentist.
3.
Intravenous sedation
Also known as IV of
“conscious sedation”, Patients often think they are asleep and have no
memory of the procedure but they can respond to the dentist when
necessary. IV sedation is a safe, precise and highly effective technique
for management of moderate to more severe levels of dental fear.
Commonly used drugs include Valium, Versed and Demerol, either alone or
in combination selected by the doctor.
A major benefit of some of
these IV drugs is amnesia. The patient will usually have no memory of
most, or even all, of the dental treatment. Another benefit is the
comparatively quick recovery time.
During the
procedure, equipment will be attached to the patient to monitor
breathing, blood pressure and heart rate. All staff members at Dr.
Goodson’s practice have current CPR certification. Dr. Goodson‘s
training was received at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.
She has also trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Dr. Goodson is
certified by The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners to provide
Intravenous Sedation and has been granted Portability Priveledges.
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