This decision is always and only ever based on the patients’ needs and preferences.
It is important to be aware that long-acting strong local anaesthetic is used so no pain is experienced during the procedure.
Some people prefer to be asleep, so they have no memory of the surgical aspect of the procedure. A general anaesthetic is something we can offer at Daley Street Dental as Dr McNamara works out of St Vincents Private Hospital in Lismore and has a visiting anaesthetist who can provide Intravenous sedation at the dental clinic in Alstonville. However, most patients choose to get treatment in the chair with oral sedatives like Lorazepam or Nitrous Oxide sedation (‘happy gas’). This is generally because the procedure is only about 2 hours, pain free and incurs no additional cost compared with general anaesthetic. Feedback from our returning patients receiving the same treatment for their opposite jaw, all have opted to have the procedure performed the same way again. Experience tells us this is all that is required unless you have a severe phobia associated with dental treatment. Whatever your decision, we can support your choice.