I have just decided it’s time to move forward with getting dentures. I have been putting this off forever because I hate the dentist and I absolutely hate needles. Obviously my teeth are really bad too since I’m getting dentures. Can I just be put out at the hospital so I don’t know what going on when it’s time to remove my remaining teeth?
- Paul in Idaho
Paul,
General anesthesia at the hospital is not out of the question. But it definitely is on the expensive side. Have you heard of sedation dentistry? There are many sedation dentists that are also trained to do tooth extractions and dentures. With oral sedation you can be “put out” right at the dentist office. You will actually be conscious, which is different than general anesthesia. This means that you will still be breathing normally and your protective reflexes will still function like normal. It only involves taking a pill and you will feel like you went to sleep. Most people have little to no memory of anything from the appointment. There is also no needles, which sounds like another plus for you.
Or you can go to the oral surgeon where you can likely get IV sedation which is administered intravenously or they may offer general anesthesia. This could end up saving you thousands of dollars when compared to going into the hospital.
Below are some additional comparisons of your options for the tooth extractions of your remaining teeth before your dentures.
Oral (Conscious) Sedation:
- No pain!
- It’s likely that you won’t remember anything.
- Your completely conscious while sedated.
- Dentists can provide other medication like anti-anxiety, tranquilizers, or pain killers along with oral sedation.
- Most economical option.
IV Sedation:
- Speedy recover after extractions.
- Relaxed/ indifferent to what is going on throughout the appointment.
- Dosage can be better controlled and increased if required.
- This is a deeper level of sedation than oral sedation.
General Anesthesia:
- No control over muscles, reflexes, etc. You are unconscious.
- No communication throughout surgery.
- Tube must be placed in airway. Can cause discomfort after procedure.
- Longer recovery time with drowsiness.
- Higher risk to patient.
- The most expensive sedation option.
Hopefully this gives you some more information so you can make the best decision for your individual case. It is good to discuss the pros and cons further with your dentist and oral surgery. Sedation dentistry isn’t right for everyone. But your dentist will be able to make recommendations that are best for you and determine if you are a candidate.
This post is sponsored by Mesa dentist Desert Family Dental.
