When researching or committing to a dental procedure, many people share a common concern about whether or not it will hurt and the degree of pain involved. Dental fear and anxiety affect around 16% of adults and 10% of children in Australia, and at least 85% of the adult population is apprehensive about pain during dental procedures. You may have heard that the All-on-4® treatment provides a brand-new smile in as little as 24 hours, but what anaesthetic is used when getting All-on-4®? Which form of sedation is used to ease you through this full-mouth dental restoration procedure?
There are a few varieties of anaesthetics for dental treatments. Local anaesthetic is the most common kind and is used for simpler and less invasive procedures like fillings. Available in cream, gel, or spray form, it works by numbing nerve endings, so the worst you feel during your operation is dull pressure.
General anaesthetic is the type that most people hope for when they consent to a dental procedure. Administered via intravenous medicines and gases, it puts you in a sleep-like state in which your brain can’t respond to pain signals or reflexes.
Nitrous oxide, better known as “laughing gas”, is administered through a mask that fits over your nose. It’s known to induce temporary euphoria. Conscious IV sedation is a milder form of sleep dentistry than general, in which you don’t feel pain but are awake during the procedure and can follow instructions.
If you’re wondering which style of anaesthetic will be administered during your All-on-4® surgery and whether or not you’ll have to put up with pain, this article is for you. As the All-on-4® pioneers in Australia, Next Smile Australia can answer all your questions on All-on-4® anaesthetic, potential side effects, and recovery from the All-on-4® procedure.
What Type Of Anaesthetic Is Used During The All-on-4® Procedure?
All-on-4® is a similar procedure to traditional dental implants but with some notable differences. It gives you a brand-new, authentic-looking smile in just 24 hours.
Pioneered by Dr Paulo Malo in 1998, All-on-4® supports an entire arch of teeth on just four implants. The way the implants are inserted allows for fewer dental implants, a shorter recovery time and no need for dental bone grafting. However, you can be assured that you never have to compromise on quality. At Next Smile Australia, our All-on-4® teeth are made in-house at most of our clinics, are designed to look natural and suit your needs based on your dental history, and have a 98% success rate.
Next Smile Australia performs most of our All-on-4® procedures under general anaesthesia, although we take your whole medical and dental history into account when assessing which anaesthetic is best for you. While general anaesthesia takes its time to wear off and you should avoid operating a car or any other vehicle for at least 24 hours after your treatment, general anaesthetic is a safe option, and serious side effects are rare.
What Does General Anaesthetic Do?
General anaesthesia uses medicines to induce you into a sleep-like state in which you can’t feel pain. These medicines may be administered through intravenous therapy (IV) into your arm by way of your bloodstream or inhaled in a gaseous form via a mask. In most circumstances, a rapid-acting IV sedative puts you to sleep, and a combination of IV and gas is used to keep you under.
General anaesthesia puts you in a state of controlled unconsciousness. Under the effects of the anaesthetic, you’re unaware of the surgery and can’t feel any pain. The anaesthetic is fast-acting, and you’ll find yourself unconscious within a minute or two. General anaesthesia is recommended for complex procedures that require a stronger degree of pain control than local anaesthetic can provide.
What Is The Recovery Like From General Anaesthetic?
Upon waking up from general anaesthetic, you’ll likely feel groggy, confused and disorientated. It’s essential to have somebody to give you a lift home or another form of transport so that you don’t have to drive. General anaesthetic can affect your memory, reflexes and concentration for at least a day or two, so you should avoid driving, drinking alcohol and signing any legal documents for 24-48 hours. You may feel tired for several days, both from the effects of the anaesthesia and from recovering from a procedure.
Are There Any Side Effects From General Anaesthetic?
General anaesthetic treatment has some common side effects, most of which happen immediately after your operation and don’t last long. Some of the most common side effects include:
Nausea and vomiting
This is most likely to occur immediately after you wake up from general anaesthesia, although some people may continue to feel sick for a day or two afterwards.
Feeling cold and shivering
This can last anywhere from a few minutes up to a few hours.
Confusion and memory loss
It is more commonly seen in older people and those who already have memory problems.
An allergic reaction
For example, an asthma attack.
In rare cases, general anaesthesia can cause more serious side effects: a serious allergic reaction like anaphylaxis, damage to the teeth, lips or tongue or accidental waking during the operation. But these are extremely rare occurrences. In the majority of cases, All-on-4® with general anaesthetic is usually safe, comfortable and an effective treatment plan. All-on-4® with anaesthetic is also the easiest way to attain a brand-new, fully functional smile.
Book a Consultation and Renew Your Smile at Next Smile Australia
As a leading provider of All-on-4® in Australia, Next Smile Australia will keep your treatment as simple, straightforward and painless as possible. Our experienced team is dedicated to placing our patients at the centre of everything we do and is guided by values like dedication, empathy, excellence and a non-judgmental approach. Our dental implants are custom-made from Nobel Biocare materials and provide a stable foundation for your new smile.
Your personalised All-on-4® treatment timeline is tailored to your dental and medical history. Still, it always starts with a personal consultation during which a Next Smile Australia dental surgeon determines your suitability for All-on-4®. During this initial consultation, our surgeon will assess your situation, your goals and your suitability for All-on-4® treatment.
Next Smile Australia’s commitment to your dental health doesn’t end when your operation is over. We’ll provide you with general aftercare tips and recommendations suited to your own situation to make sure your All-on-4® dental implants last for many years to come. Although they won’t decay like natural teeth, All-on-4® dental implants still require care, and Next Smile Australia is happy to show you what that care looks like in practice.
We’ll carry out your All-on-4® operation at one of our industry-leading Super Clinics, which are renowned for their state-of-the-art technology and surgical-grade hygiene—with most of our clinics housing medically regulated surgical rooms and in-house laboratories, constructing your new set of teeth to meet your needs. Our clinics offer innovative, personalised and effective standards of All-on-4® treatment.
If you’d like to find out more about the All-on-4® procedure, attend an information session or arrange a personal consultation, contact the Next Smile Australia team.