We, dentists, often hear that dental procedures are rarely enjoyable. Many of our patients dream of a way to undergo dental treatment without feeling anything and wake up from it as if from a deep and pleasant sleep—with their new smile. It turns out this is no longer just an idea, but an increasingly chosen reality among Lithuanians.
We spoke with anesthesiologist Dr. Onutė Gaidelienė from Periodont, who knows all the answers on how to reduce discomfort during dental procedures.
Doctor, can you tell us more about what kind of anesthesia we can consider when we want to make dental procedures more comfortable? Is it similar to the anesthesia used in surgical procedures, like an appendectomy?
If we want to ease dental treatment for a patient who is genuinely anxious, we can choose intravenous (IV) anesthesia. Unlike anesthesia typically used in surgical operations, the patient is not intubated—meaning no tube is inserted into the airways for oxygen, as the patient’s natural breathing is not suppressed. During IV anesthesia, a catheter is first inserted into a vein, similar to taking a blood sample, through which medications are administered. These medications make you drowsy, and you fall into a deep sleep, while all your vital functions remain normal: you breathe on your own, can cough, and so on.
Can you specify who can benefit from this type of anesthesia, and is there any preparation needed, such as blood tests?
In fact, this anesthesia has almost no contraindications and can be applied to both children and adults. Anyone who experiences significant anxiety before dental procedures, constantly postpones treatment due to fear, or has difficulty tolerating procedures—for example, due to a strong gag reflex—can greatly benefit from this method. Before administering anesthesia, we always discuss the patient’s health, general conditions, and the planned procedure. We also explain that fasting is required before the appointment. No special tests are needed prior to IV anesthesia, only a discussion with your dentist about which procedures will be performed using this method.
Doctor, can you describe how this anesthesia is administered and what a typical treatment session looks like so patients know what to expect?
Once the treatment is scheduled, you arrive at the clinic having fasted for the required time. After reviewing the procedure once more, a catheter is inserted into a vein, and the drugs are administered. Within a few minutes, you fall into a deep, restful sleep, while your dentist carries out the planned procedures. I, as the anesthesiologist, closely monitor your condition, heart rate, breathing, and depth of sleep. As I like to tell our patients, knowing that everything has been planned, you can allow yourself a good rest, while our professional team performs the work they do best.
If the procedure is extensive, it can be divided into several stages. At any time, we can pause the medication so you wake up, stretch, or use the restroom if needed, and then resume the anesthesia for further treatment.
How should patients plan their time for the post-procedure period? Will they need to stay in a recovery room?
The advantage of this method is that as soon as the medication stops, within minutes you wake up feeling alert—without nausea or strong grogginess. After discussing the completed procedures and assessing your well-being, you can go home. It is best to be accompanied by a family member or take a taxi, but within a few hours, or at the latest the next day, you can safely drive and resume your daily activities.
It is also important to note that there are many myths about general anesthesia affecting memory or health, but these are unfounded. The medication simply allows you to sleep through the procedure and not remember it afterward—which is exactly what we aim for. Once the drugs are stopped, their effect ends completely.
