Do I Need General Anesthesia When I Get Dental Implants?
Most dental implant procedures do require anesthesia to keep you comfortable during surgery, not just to make the procedure safer. If you’re considering dental implants and want to know what to expect, dentists usually use local anesthesia to numb only the part of the mouth where the implant is placed, while general anesthesia is considered more often for extensive bone grafting or when the procedure is more complex and patient anxiety is higher.
However, it still doesn’t take much effort to imagine the worst that can happen during an invasive dental procedure. Just imagining the needles, sharp tools, and the removal of broken teeth can be overwhelming for some people. Understanding how anesthesia works for dental implants can help you prepare for the procedure, manage pain and anxiety, and have a more informed conversation with your dental surgeon about the right option for your comfort.
Getting Dental Implants
Dental implants replace missing teeth to restore the aesthetics and functionality of the mouth, and are just one of several specialized oral surgery procedures that can significantly improve your oral health. With missing teeth, you may feel self-conscious and less likely to interact socially. Moreover, the lack of teeth can make chewing and eating difficult. While every dental surgeon aims to do their best in the dental implants procedure, here’s why they will recommend either local or general anesthesia.
General Anesthesia
Dental implants don’t necessarily have to be one or two. When there is more than one tooth replacement, your dental surgeon will ask you to choose between local and general anesthesia. However, you should know that often when there are seven or eight dental implants, dental surgeons typically don’t use general anesthesia. Rather, they use local anesthesia to reduce the pain and numb the area.
Furthermore, depending on your previous medical history, you may require general anesthesia. The important thing is to know whether or not general anesthesia is safe for you. Do you think you can’t sit through the implant surgery comfortably or without panic? Discuss sedation options with your dental surgeon. You may receive an additional sedative alongside local anesthesia to help you relax.
Local Anesthesia
As far as the general dental implant procedure goes, a local anesthetic is what most patients require for the entire procedure, numbing the surgical site during dental implant placement while you stay awake. With local anesthesia, most patients can usually return home the same day. You may still feel pressure after the subtle needle prick, even though the area is numb. Occasionally, patients require OTC medication to help with normal soreness, swelling, and minor oral pain post-procedure, which is usually manageable with medication. Oral options may require you to sit longer if you want to bear the needle pricks. Make sure that you discuss the options with your surgeon ahead of time.
Conclusion
Dental implants might not be as painful, but the procedure requires a certain skill set and experience. Therefore, you should choose the best dental surgeon in the town for your tooth replacement needs, ideally someone with extensive oral and maxillofacial surgery training. Dr. Davis DMD is one of the top oral healthcare providers in Southern Utah at Shawn B. Davis, DMD, Oral & Facial Surgery Institute, Dental Implant Specialists, a leading center for oral surgery and dental implants in St. George and nearby communities. Give us a call at (435) 740-8296 to discuss the dental implants procedure with Dr. Davis, including advanced options like 3 on 6™ dental implants for full-arch restoration. Visit our official website for further inquiries and to learn more about our oral surgery practice and team.
Reference Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_implant