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Many people may experience fear and anxiety during dental treatment. Especially those with intense dentist phobia may avoid dental examinations due to long-lasting procedures or painful treatments. In such cases, sedation and general anesthesia methods offer effective solutions that increase patient comfort and facilitate treatment processes. So, what are the differences between sedation and general anesthesia? In which cases is it applied? You can find all the details in this article.
Sedation is an anesthesia method that allows the patient to relax by partially closing their level of consciousness. The person feels deeply relaxed during the procedure and often does not remember the procedure. While the patient can speak in light sedation applications, in deep sedation they become completely relaxed, but their respiratory functions are still preserved.
The basic features of sedation are as follows:
General anesthesia is a method in which the patient is completely unconscious and does not feel anything. During this procedure, the patient is completely asleep and their breathing is controlled by an anesthesiologist. It is usually preferred for long and complex dental treatments or for patients with extreme phobias.
The basic features of general anesthesia are as follows:
Although sedation and general anesthesia have similar functions in terms of providing patient comfort, there are some differences in terms of application methods. While sedation is a relaxation method in which the patient is partially conscious, during general anesthesia the patient is completely asleep and disconnected from the outside world. While the patient can control their own respiratory functions during sedation, respiratory support may be required under general anesthesia.
Sedation and general anesthesia can be preferred in different dental treatments.
Sedation and general anesthesia are very safe methods when performed by expert anesthesia doctors. However, as with any medical procedure, these techniques can also have some risks. Patients with heart disease, respiratory problems or a history of allergic reactions should inform their doctors in advance. These risks are minimized with detailed health checks performed before treatment.
It is recommended that patients rest for a while after these methods. While patients who are sedated usually recover in a short time, the recovery process after general anesthesia may be a little longer. After the procedure, slight dizziness, nausea or weakness may be felt, but these effects pass in a short time.
No, the patient relaxes and does not feel pain during sedation. Consciousness is not completely lost during the procedure, but pain and discomfort are greatly reduced.
General anesthesia is generally suitable for major surgical procedures or individuals with serious dental phobia. However, the patient's health status should be evaluated beforehand.
Short-term dizziness, mild nausea or drowsiness may occur after sedation, but these effects usually pass in a short time.
The full recovery time after general anesthesia varies depending on individual differences, but most patients recover within a few hours and can return to normal life within a day.
Yes, sedation or general anesthesia can be applied to perform long-lasting or painful procedures comfortably, especially in younger age groups.
Sedation and general anesthesia eliminate fear of the dentist by providing a comfortable experience during dental treatment. You can choose the best option by consulting your dentist to choose a suitable anesthesia method. It is important to make conscious choices for a healthy and fearless dental treatment process!
