Conscious IV sedation and general anesthesia are 2 of the types of sedation that our dentists in Sunny Isles use, depending on the procedure and the specific needs of the patient. If you suffer from anxiety, dental phobia, or sensitive gag reflex, any of these sedation options will provide a high benefit to you.
So, how are they different? These are some of the main differences between these 2 sedation methods:
- While during general anesthesia you are completely unconscious, with conscious IV sedation you can stay awake throughout the procedure and follow instructions.
- General anesthesia is often used for more complex and invasive procedures, whereas conscious IV sedation is typically used during less complex procedures.
- Patients usually have a shorter recovery time with IV sedation than with general anesthesia.
Conscious sedation means you will feel relaxed
Conscious sedation is a form of IV sedation that is milder than general anesthesia and more effective than some oral medications. Also known as twilight sedation, conscious IV sedation will help you relax enough to be fully cooperative during your treatment. The medication also has an amnesic effect so you won’t remember much about your treatment, either.
You will remember being at the dentist’s office but won’t recall any of the dental work that was performed. This technique provides significant benefits for nervous patients.
General anesthesia means you’re completely knocked out
In contrast, general anesthesia puts you in a state of complete unconsciousness, meaning you won’t feel pain or have any awareness or memory of what’s going on. With general anesthesia, you are completely relaxed and unresponsive to anything that is happening around you. Your vital signs will be closely monitored to make sure everything is going right.
In which cases should general anesthesia be used?
Because other types of sedation work so well ― including IV conscious sedation ― general anesthesia is mostly used in specific situations, like:
- When patients are highly tolerant to local anesthesia and other sedation methods
- When patients are extremely nervous
- When other types of sedation don’t work as expected
- During long/complex dental procedures
What you need to know about dentistry sedation
For many dental procedures, conscious IV sedation is one of the preferred methods of sedation dentistry. General anesthesia is generally used for more complex procedures, such as oral surgery.
If you are feeling anxious or fearful about going to the dentist, that’s perfectly normal. But most importantly, it’s no reason to put your dental health at risk! There are multiple options to help you feel relaxed and comfortable at the dentist. In Sedation Dentistry of Sunny Isles, that’s one of our main priorities.
If you are wondering which type of dentistry sedation is best for you, our experienced dental team in Sunny Isles is here to guide you and address all your concerns. Call us at (786) 629-1503 or reach out to us online to book your appointment today!