Dental anesthesia has provided some very humorous viral videos on social media. People who have just had their wisdom teeth removed or had a crown installed may post videos of themselves drooling, slurring their words or talking in absolutely nonsensical manners.
Such videos are entertaining because the consequences of undergoing dental anesthesia are a common experience. Many people eventually require dental anesthesia for a procedure, whether they need a root canal or have dental implants installed.
The grogginess and cognitive consequences are a small price to pay for being able to undergo invasive dental procedures with minimal pain or no physical sensation whatsoever. Unfortunately, anesthesia used in dental procedures can also cause harm to the patient involved.
What kind of side effects does dental anesthesia have?
Some people have adverse reactions to dental anesthesia, possibly including an allergic reaction. These scenarios can have devastating medical consequences, some of which may lead to death.
There are certain standard side effects associated with dental anesthesia that can occur in any patient even when the administration of the anesthesia is perfect. These side effects include a feeling of nausea or actual vomiting, headaches, hallucinations, dry mouth, pain, tiredness and even lockjaw.
If a mistake occurs during the administration of anesthesia, much worse adverse effects could happen. They may include loss of consciousness, permanent nerve damage and even death in extreme cases.
Most major side effects are preventable
It is possible to undergo dental anesthesia safely with minimal side effects. Proper dosage, establishing the safety of the drug for the patient and patient education are all crucial to reducing medication side effects.
Dentists should evaluate patients for risk factors that could increase their chance of an adverse reaction. These range from their rage to liver and heart issues. People with sleep apnea, a history of seizures and high blood pressure are at increased risk when compared with the average dental patient. When dentists fail to properly administer anesthesia, their patients may have a much longer recovery process and need to spend more money for their care. They may also lose more wages.
Major anesthesia mistakes may give rise to dental malpractice claims. Taking action after a dental anesthesia error can compensate you for the losses you suffer.
