Outpatient Anesthesia in the Clinic

We provide all forms of anesthesia/sedation dentistry in St. Catharines at our dental clinic. We are certified by the Royal College of Dentists of Ontario to do so. Patients that are dental phobic often request sedation for dental extractions. More complex cases require a full General Anesthetic.

The various forms of anesthesia/sedation dentistry provided include:

1. Local Anesthesia (freezing)
2. Nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas)
3. Intravenous Deep Sedation
4. General Anesthesia (fully asleep)

All patients requiring Intravenous Sedation or General Anesthesia are scheduled with our staff Medical Anesthesiologists. Dr. Vigna will perform your surgery while you are monitored by the medical anesthesiologist at all times. Dr. Vigna will assess your medical history in detail during the consultation appointment. If further information is required; your medical doctor/specialist will be consulted and then a consultation will be arranged with the medical anesthesiologist. Bloodwork and ECG are often required for longer procedures. Dr. Vigna will discuss your level of anxiety and suggest the appropriate form of sedation that is right for you. Surgery requiring Intravenous Sedation or General Anesthesia is not performed on the same day.

Instructions to prepare for surgery will be given. If you are to undergo general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, it is important to:

• not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to surgery (nothing after midnight is best)
• wear loose comfortable clothing
• do not wear jewellery. Remove all piercings if possible, especially nose rings, and lip rings
• bring a responsible escort with you to drive you home
• brush your teeth well prior to departing from home

Nausea may occur after any form of anesthesia. Medications will be given to try to prevent this. Often, the oral medications given to you by Dr. Vigna may cause nausea as well. Gravol is a good choice when nausea occurs. If it persists, call the office for further instruction.

It is also important that you DO NOT operate a vehicle or operate machinery for 24 hours after having a general anesthetic or intravenous sedation. Having an anesthetic in our clinic is similar to having surgery in the hospital except it is much more convenient and user friendly. There is less paperwork and much less waiting. You will be in and out usually in 1 ½ to 2 hours. All monitoring equipment used in the clinic is similar to hospital equipment. When you arrive to the clinic, the Registered Nurse will walk you into the operating room and attach monitors (blood pressure, ECG and pulse oximeter). An intravenous will be started by the Nurse. If you are fearful of needles, nitrous oxide gas may be used to help place the intravenous needle. The needle will be removed, and only the plastic tip will remain in the vein. This intravenous line will be used by the anesthesiologist to put you to sleep.

Once the procedure is completed, you will be escorted to the Recovery Room by wheelchair by the Nurse. A separate Recovery Room Registered Nurse will monitor you, provide full instructions, give all the prescriptions written by Dr. Vigna and answer all questions. You will be escorted by wheelchair to your car once you are ready to go home. A responsible adult should stay with you for at least 4 hours after you arrive home. The Medical Anesthesiologists are available Wednesdays.

For sedation dentistry in St. Catharines, call us to book an appointment.