Are You Put To Sleep For Periodontal Surgery?
Dental visits can often invoke a sense of anxiety or fear, especially when facing the prospect of surgeries. For many patients, these emotions may be so strong that they manifest as dental phobia, causing people to avoid a necessary appointment, leading to serious oral health problems. But what if there was a way to mitigate these fears and undergo treatment in a relaxed, stress-free environment? This is where sedation dentistry comes into play.
Sedation and sleep dentistry are the answer for those struggling with dental anxiety or phobia. It employs various sedation methods to calm and relax the patient, including putting the patient to sleep during periodontal procedures. The thought of ‘sleeping’ through a dental procedure might seem far-fetched, but it’s a reality for many who opt for this route.
Understanding Periodontal Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Risks
Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is a serious infection affecting the gum tissue surrounding the teeth. Its leading cause is plaque buildup, a sticky substance teeming with bacteria. If not properly cleaned off, the bacteria in plaque can cause the gums to become inflamed. Over time, this inflammation can lead to the formation of deep pockets between the teeth and gums.
People typically notice the first signs of this disease as redness, swelling, and bleeding in the gums. As the condition advances, they may experience significant pain in their gum tissue, and the teeth can become loose. Untreated gum disease may lead to tooth loss.
Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment Options
Non-surgical treatments for gum disease are typically the first line of treatment and can be very effective in managing the disease, especially in its early stages.
Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root planning)
One common method is deep cleaning, which includes scaling and root planing. It is a common non-surgical procedure that involves cleaning the teeth and roots below the gum line. Scaling will remove tartar and bacteria from tooth surfaces and beneath the gum tissues. Root planing smooths the root surfaces, deterring further tartar and bacterial buildup and helping the gums reattach to the teeth. The procedure may require multiple visits to the dentist and a local anesthetic may be used to minimize any possible pain or discomfort.
Antibiotic Treatments
In addition to deep cleaning, antibiotic treatments can also be used to combat the infection. These can be applied topically to the gums or taken orally, helping kill bacteria in the mouth and aid in healing.
Surgical Periodontal Treatment Options
When Is Surgery Necessary For Gum Disease?
If the non-surgical procedures are effective, the dentist will likely recommend maintenance procedures such as regular cleanings. More intensive surgical options may be considered if the treatments haven’t adequately controlled the gum disease. The goal is always to maintain oral health and prevent gum disease progression. The dentist may offer surgery for gum disease when non-surgical options, such as deep cleaning and antibiotics, aren’t enough to halt the disease’s progression.
Here are some surgical periodontal surgery options that address advanced gum disease:
Flap Surgery
Flap surgery involves lifting the gum tissue back to remove tartar buildup. Once this is done, the gums are sutured back, fitting more closely around the tooth to limit the area where harmful bacteria can grow.
Bone Grafting
A bone graft procedure is performed when the disease has led to bone loss around the tooth root. The graft, which can be made from the patient’s own bone, a synthetic bone, or donated bone, provides a platform for the regrowth of natural bone and helps stabilize the tooth.
Guided Tissue Regeneration(GTR) and Tissue-Stimulating Proteins
Procedures such as applying tissue-stimulating proteins and GTR can encourage tissue growth and bone regeneration. These techniques stimulate the body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue lost to the disease.
Gum Graft Surgery
In a gum graft surgery, a periodontist may take a thin piece of tissue, often from another part of the patient’s mouth (like the palate), and attach it to the area where the gum tissue has receded. This not only helps protect the exposed tooth roots but also improves the aesthetic appearance of the smile.
Are You Put To Sleep For Periodontal Surgeries?
Whether or not patients are put to sleep for periodontal surgeries largely depends on the complexity of the procedure and the patient’s comfort level.
Many periodontal procedures can be performed under local anesthesia, which will numb the area being treated but does not put the person to sleep.
However, sedation dentistry methods may be employed for more complex procedures, such as bone grafting or guided tissue regeneration, or for patients with severe anxiety or dental phobia.
These can range from conscious sedation methods like laughing gas (happy gas) and oral conscious sedation, where the person is relaxed but awake, to general anaesthesia, where they are completely asleep.
Sleep Dentistry in Brisbane
Ready to transform your dental health? Located in Brisbane, we specialize in putting your comfort first. With our comprehensive pre-surgical dental evaluation, we thoroughly examine your dental and medical history to provide treatments best suited to your health conditions.
We also assist with Humm and SuperCare to make your dental care financially comfortable. At Pure Dentistry, we go above and beyond to ensure your dental journey is as smooth and worry-free as possible. Take the first step towards superior dental health. Book your appointment with us today! Contact us by phone number 07 3343 4869 or book online. Let’s create that brilliant smile together.
Recovery After Periodontal Surgery Under General Anaesthesia
Patients may experience minor bleeding and discomfort following periodontal surgery under general anaesthesia, typically managed with prescribed pain medications. Soft foods are recommended initially to prevent any disturbance to the surgical site.
It’s crucial to avoid strenuous exercise, operating heavy machinery, and any activities that may exert pressure on the operated area. These precautions and taking medications as directed by the dentist help prevent infection and promote healing.
Patients must keep follow-up appointments for the doctor to monitor their recovery and address any concerns. Always consult with your dentist for personalized advice for more information.
When Is General Anaesthesia Necessary For Periodontal Surgery?
Dental work under General anaesthesia is typically necessary. It will be administered for gum surgery when the procedure is expected to be long or particularly complex or if the person is highly anxious and unable to tolerate it under local anesthesia or conscious sedation methods like nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation.
General anaesthesia must be used under the supervision of a trained professional, as it involves more risks than other forms of anaesthesia. It’s also important to note that patients will need someone to accompany them home after the procedure, as it takes time for the effects of the anaesthesia to wear off.
General anaesthesia is usually administered through intravenous sedation for complex or lengthy periodontal surgery or when the person has a severe phobia. Under a doctor’s or dentist’s supervision, this method effectively alleviates pain and anxiety.
Regardless of the type of anaesthesia used, the ultimate goal is to ensure the patient’s comfort and safety during the procedure. The best approach will vary depending on the individual patient’s needs and the specific circumstances of the procedure.
Your periodontist will discuss various options and recommend the best approach based on your situation.