What are the risks with sedation for oral surgery?

Question

I'm getting my wisdom teeth out tomorrow and I think I'm going to have them sedate me. From what I understand, it's not like major surgery anesthesia. Are there any severe risks with the sedation? I've had sedation before when I had an endoscopy, and everything was fine. Is this the same type of sedation?

They did not make an appointment with me for a consultation. My dentist told me I could get them extracted with or without sedation. They just told me to get there 10 minutes early.

Answer 1

I don't know what kind of sedation you mean - there are several kinds.

Mild: Nitrous oxide sedation - this jsut relaxes you but you're conscious

Mild to Moderate: Oral Sedation - this involves taking pills to sedate you prior to the procedure.

Moderate: IV Sedation - this is an IV in your arm and you could be conscious, unconscious, or somewhere in between!

Strong: General Anesthesia - this is where they have to make sure you have an airway and you are all the way out.

Now, with the IV and General, the same drugs that "knock you out" can depress your central nervous system, blood pressue, heart rate, etc etc. Obviously, if these systems are depressed too far, the patient will die. Fortunately for you, your oral surgeon has at least four years of training beyond MY four years of dental school that teaches him all the tricks of advanced life support. So don't worry!

However, MY biggest concern is this: You're going in TOMORROW and you have no idea what the risks are or if your'e even going to GET sedation??? This is inconceivable to me! Before they schedule the extraction appointment, they probably did a consult. The surgeon looks at your xray and decides the degree of difficulty involved and (should) explain the risks of the procedures as well as your options in terms of anesthetic and sedation, including all risks of these procedures. I've NEVER heard of anyone saying, "Oh, just decide the day of and we'll explain the risks then."

The fact that you're even asking the question has me a little concerned, unless they already went over all that and maybe you just weren't paying attention or you didn't read the consent form they should provide OR maybe just lost the paper...??

Anyway, good luck. Sedation is better and easier than not, esp if your'e well insured!

Answer 2

A little info I think should be considered about this drug Versed ( Midazolam ) that is used for Sedation for many medical procedures..Sedation and General Anesthesia are not the same and quite a few people being given Sedation
think they are being given General Anesthesia!

There is simply no good or valid reason to ever purposely induce amnesia during a medical procedure. It is only a recent development in medical thinking that amnesia is somehow a "benefit" to the patient. On occasion some
some patients will remember a bad experience. Forgetting does not mean it did not happen!!
I feel that if people were aware of the effects of this drug they would Opt For Another Drug!
Erasing someones memory of what was done to them is wrong!!
In fact, many people who use Versed for " IV Sedation,Conscious Sedation" Twilight Sedation, during a procedure are Awake For The Entire Procedure but remember nothing, often Believing They Were "Out" the whole time.

Versed (Midazolam) is an amnestic. It is also commonly used for minor procedures like setting broken bones,colonoscopies,endoscopies, dental procedures like extractions,conscious sedation,twilight sleep, so that patients won't remember pain and discomfort.HOWEVER THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THOSE SENSATIONS WILL NOT BE EXPERIENCED!!!!


Here is a note from a Dentist Who uses Versed
I've used Versed 1000+ times during oral surgery procedures and I've never had a complaint. It's a miracle drug because it is safe and it causes you to not remember an unpleasant experience. My answer to him is isn't it better to have not experienced the pain than to have forgot it. No wonder you have had no complaints they have no memory of the procedure.....

I feel that giving a drug for amnesia is cruel I would not want it done to me!

A strange development in medical thinking that it's okay for a patient to have
pain as long as they don't remember it and think they slept thru the procedure..


Here is a link for some info

http://www.freehelpforcancer.com/manages...

Answer 3

Most likely they want you to be there 10 minutes early to get you all set up for the procedure. Just make sure not to eat or drink anything after midnight tonight. They won't put a tube down your throat but the will have an assistant standing behind you holding your chin up for you. If you are healthy the biggest risk is probably an allergic reaction to the meds which is not very likely. Or you may get an upset stomach afterwards.I worked in oral surgery for a year and a half and we put 5-10 people asleep a day and we only sent one person to the hospital the whole time I worked there. They were older and had major health problems that were undisclosed. I really wouldn't worry. They will explain everything to you. I do think it's strange that they didn't offer a consult though.

Answer 4

all sedation's are different
most likely you will be fine
but any kind of anesthesia has some effects as you Dr will explain to you

I have had wisdom teeth removed and been put to sleep
it was a piece of cake
sore later,but way better than with them in

an do not drink anything before or eat

you will get very sick if you do

sedatio is the way to go when you have oral surgery

make sure someone is with you to drive you home
because you will be very groggy

Answer 5

I can assure you that you want to be sedated if you get your wisdom teeth out. There are several different types of anesthesia used today for removal of wisdom teeth and they are all very very safe.

Have someone drive you home - that is the most dangerous thing you will be faced with tomorrow.

Answer 6

When administered by someone who is trained and experienced, general anesthesia is low-risk....however it is never NO risk.

I agree that it is unwise to go in to this procedure without complete information on what kind your dentist will give. A signed consent form would be standard of care.

Answer 7

FROM WHAT YOU'VE SAID, THIS SEDATION DOES NOT SEEM LIKE A STRONG INTRAVENOUS VARIETY, ALTHOUGH YOU DIDN'T STATE WHICH IT WOULD BE.
SINCE YOU DIDN'T STATE WHICH TYPE IT IS, IT WOULD NOT BE ADVISABLE TO GIVE YOU AN EXACT ANSWER.