Dental procedures in the United States have come a long way since the 1800s when primitive surgical instruments for tooth extraction and braces made of gold were standard in tooth alignment. Today, instruments and procedures are much more sophisticated, from the dental hand piece that the dentist employs to root out decay, to the anesthesia given to patients who are in need of more intense dental work. There are many procedures where a patient is “put under” for the work performed:
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Sometimes, wisdom teeth cause problems in the mouth and need to be extracted. This procedure lasts less than an hour, and is effective at making space for the rest of the teeth in the mouth, giving a person the best chance at a straight beautiful smile!
Dental Implants
Missing teeth can cause eating problems and low self-esteem, but in this day and age, replacing teeth is quite common. Tooth replacement is a relatively simple procedure, but going under sedation is necessary so that the tooth can be implanted correctly. Sedation will help this procedure fly by.
Jaw Surgery
If your jaw is misaligned, then jaw surgery might be recommended. While this procedure seems like a great reason to fear the dentist, when done under sedation, it is painless and very effective at correcting jaw misalignment or sleep apnea. In some cases, the jaw must be broken in order to be reconstructed appropriately; it is definitely best to be under anesthesia to stay calm during this more involved procedure.
Emergency Dental Work
If the procedure will last more than one hour, some dentists prefer to put the patient under so that he/she can work without distraction. That way, the patient can remain calm and relaxed for a longer period of time and necessary dental work can be completed.
Dental work has come a long way in just a few centuries. Don’t fear the procedures that require sedation, just look at it as an added benefit!
