Anesthesia:Four Distinct Forms

By Dr. H. Ryan Kazemi,Oral Surgeon

Medical procedures can causeanxiety and fear, butanesthesia can help.

Different forms of anesthesiatrigger different physiological

effects that make theexperience more bearable.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is the lightest form ofconscious sedation. It is inhaled through a

nasal mask and leaves the body minutesafter the system is turned off.

Nitrous oxide does not reduce awareness.Patients can leave the office without

assistance.

Oral Pre‐MedicationMedication can be taken a half­

hour to an hour before theappointment.

Oral pre­medication is moreeffective than nitrous oxide, but

its effectiveness and onset arehard to predict.

Patients will need to be escortedto and from the office in most

cases.

Local Anesthesia Once injected, local

anesthesia numbs the areaaround the point of

injection.

Local anesthesia can becombined with other types

of conscious sedation inorder to reduce anxiety and

awareness.

Intravenous Sedation

This puts the patient in a safe, comfortable,and relaxed state.

The effects occur quickly because thesedation is administered through an I.V.

Patients who are given this sedation will needto be escorted home.

To get the best care for yourprocedure, consult with your

dental practitioner.

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