The anesthetic technique commonly used for these procedures in Dentistry is called sedation or sedo-analgesia, constituting a drug-induced change in the state of consciousness, with amnesia, relief of anxiety and minimization of the patient’s physical discomfort.
The aim is for patients to remain still during these procedures, ensuring their comfort and safety during their execution.
To carry out this type of procedure, the presence of an anesthesiologist and a nurse specialized in the area of sedo-analgesia is essential. Although it is a procedure with a large safety margin, unforeseen events can happen, so the presence of a team capable of responding to emergency situations such as peripheral oxygen desaturation, extreme bradycardia or any other critical event is unquestionable.
Prior to the procedure requiring anesthesia support, there is a pre-anesthetic assessment that includes filling out a questionnaire, identifying diseases, medication you are taking and known allergies. The patient’s doubts about the risks and benefits of the technique to be performed are also clarified. If the patient has cardiac, respiratory or neurological pathology prior to the procedure, the patient’s basic medication may have to be readjusted and analyzes or some tests may also be requested, such as an electrocardiogram.
On the day of the procedure and before the start of sedation, fasting is confirmed (an 8-hour fast must be observed for all types of food, with the exception of water and juices without pulp, which can be ingested up to 4 hours before the procedure ) and a vein is punctured for the administration of sedative drugs.
Sedation is usually performed intravenously with propofol, an anesthetic with a rapid onset of action and short duration, which allows for rapid recovery and an easily adjustable level of consciousness. Depending on the type of procedure and pain associated with it, intravenous analgesia or corticosteroid therapy may be added.
After the procedure, recovery takes place in the same room, where the patient remains under continuous surveillance until ready to be discharged.
