The Smile and Body facility is fully accredited by The Canadian Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities Inc. for Regional and General Anesthesia.
In addition, for Dental Services provided, the accreditation is issued by The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. Smile & Body's team of Medical and Dental Anesthesiologists provides a full scope of anesthesia services for the comfort of our patients in need of these services.
Operating Room
Our fully accredited operating
room is not only state-of-the-art
but also is adjacent to a comfortable post-operative room.
It is there where patients will
recuperate immediately after
their procedure in a tranquil environment.
Anaesthesia
Why do I need anaesthesia at the dental office?
To make your dental visit as comfortable as possible, your dentist may suggest anaesthesia to reduce or eliminate any pain or anxiety that may be related to your dental treatment. When providing treatment, the first priority is patient comfort and safety. Several methods of anesthesia are available. The method of anesthesia that is chosen for or by a patient depends upon the nature of the surgical procedure and the patient's level of apprehension.
What are the levels of dental anaesthesia?
Local anaesthesia is produced by the application or injection of a drug to eliminate pain in a specific area in the mouth. Topical anaesthetics are frequently used by your dentist to numb an area in preparation for administering an injectable local anaesthetic. Injectable local anaesthetics, such as Lidocaine, numb mouth tissues in a specific area of your mouth for a short period of time. Your dentist will probably inject a local anaesthetic before filling cavities, preparing your teeth for crowns, or for any surgical procedure. Local anaesthesia is the most commonly used form of anaesthesia in the dental office.
Conscious sedation can be used to help you relax during a dental procedure. Your dentist may administer an anti-anxiety agent, such as nitrous oxide, or a sedative, in combination with a local anaesthetic for pain. During conscious sedation, you will remain calm during treatment, yet rational and responsive to speech and touch. Anti-anxiety agents and sedatives can be administered by mouth, inhalation or injection.
Deep sedation and general anaesthesia is used for complex procedures and for patients who have trouble controlling their movements or need a deeper level of anaesthesia during treatment. During deep sedation you will be unable to respond appropriately to verbal commands. During general anaesthesia you will be unconscious.
Is anaesthesia in the dental office safe?
Decisions regarding your anesthesia are tailored specifically for you. The type of anesthesia you receive depends on your general health and your preferences. Although taking any medication involves a certain amount of risk, the drugs that produce anaesthesia are entirely safe when administered by a trained anaesthesia provider.
Although uncommon, complications or side effects can occur with each anesthetic option even though you are monitored carefully and special precautions are taken to avoid them.
The best thing to do is ask questions about any procedure that you are not familiar with. Ask about alternatives, training, the surgeon's commitment to continuing education and the credentials of other personnel in the dental office who might be assisting with your treatment. Good communication between the dentist and the patient is the best way of insuring safety.
