Safe and Effective
Anesthesia: Ensuring Your Comfort and Safety During Oral Surgery
Choosing the right method of anesthesia is key to ensuring your comfort and minimizing anxiety during your surgical procedure. The method is determined by the nature of the surgery, your overall health, and your treatment goals. At the Center for Oral Surgery + Dental Implants, your safety and comfort are always our priority.
Anesthesia Options in Our Office
We offer several safe and effective anesthesia options, which means all of our patients can undergo treatment comfortably, according to their preferences and medical requirements. We offer a variety of safe and effective anesthesia options, ensuring that all patients receive comfortable treatment tailored to their medical needs and personal preferences. Local anesthetic is used in conjunction with other methods to achieve complete pain control.
Local Anesthetic (Conscious)
For simple oral surgery procedures like minor soft tissue surgery and simple tooth extractions, the patient remains totally conscious. At the same time, a numbing medication (e.g., lidocaine) is administered only in the surgical area. This technique is also used in conjunction with all other methods of anesthesia to ensure complete pain control at the surgical site.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation (“Laughing Gas”)
A mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen is administered through a nasal breathing apparatus. The patient remains conscious and relaxed, with sedative and analgesic (pain-controlling) effects. This method is effective for minimizing gagging and works rapidly, with relaxation developing within minutes. It is often used for simple procedures, including wisdom tooth removal and dental implant placement.
Advantages of Using Nitrous Oxide
The depth of sedation can be altered at any time.
There is no "hangover" or after-effect.
It is safe with no side effects on your heart and lungs.
It is effective in minimizing gagging.
It works rapidly, with relaxation developing in 3 to 5 minutes.
Intravenous Moderate Sedation (IV or "Twilight Sedation")
Intravenous Sedation or “twilight sleep” helps you to be comfortable and calm when undergoing dental procedures. Medication is administered through an IV in your arm or hand. The goal is to achieve a comfortable, calm, and relaxed state, which often causes you to drift in and out of sleep and forget the procedures. This method is highly effective for alleviating anxiety and is monitored closely by the doctor. A consultation is required to determine medical fitness for IV anesthesia.
office-based general anesthesia
For patients who prefer to be completely unaware, general anesthesia is administered intravenously (I.V.) until the patient falls asleep. Medications such as Fentanyl, Versed, Ketamine, and Propofolare used, and your vital signs are closely monitored. General anesthesia is available for all types of oral surgery and is often chosen for wisdom teeth removal, dental implant placement, or when local anesthesia fails due to infection. A consultation is required to determine medical fitness for IV anesthesia.
Hospital or Surgery Center-Based General Anesthesia
This method is indicated for patients undergoing extensive procedures such as face and jaw reconstruction or TMJ surgery. It is also necessary for patients with specific complex medical conditions (e.g., heart disease or lung disease) who require general anesthesia, which an anesthesiologist administers in a specialized facility.
Pre-Operative Instructions for Anesthesia
Proper preparation is vital for ensuring your safety and comfort when receiving IV sedation or general anesthesia. Please follow these instructions strictly.
Meet Our Experienced Team
To administer General Anesthesia in the office, an oral surgeon must complete rigorous hospital-based anesthesia training and undergo a successful in-office evaluation by a state dental board examiner. Our surgeons have met and exceeded these demanding state requirements, holding the necessary licenses to ensure your safety under any level of sedation. In addition, our oral surgeons have differentiated themselves by attaining extra board certification in anesthesia from the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology.
Why Should You Choose the Center for Oral Surgery + Dental Implants?
Our expertise goes beyond surgical technique; it includes the safe and effective administration of anesthesia across multiple sedation levels right here in our office. Our rigorous training and licensing mean you receive the highest standard of care, ensuring your entire surgical experience, from consultation to recovery, is as comfortable and safe as possible.
