Our Anesthesia Options
Local Anesthesia
- How it works: The patient remains conscious throughout the procedure, with a local anesthetic administered directly to the surgical area.
- Best for: Simple oral surgery procedures, such as minor soft tissue procedures and tooth extractions.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
- How it works: A sweet-smelling, colorless gas is mixed with oxygen to create a relaxed state. It works rapidly, reaching the brain within 20 seconds, and allows patients to breathe on their own while remaining in control of bodily functions.
- The Experience: You may experience mild amnesia and fall asleep, not remembering all of what happened during the appointment. There is no "hangover" effect, and the depth of sedation can be altered at any time.
- Best for: Simple to more involved procedures, including wisdom teeth removal and dental implant placement.
IV Sedation (Twilight Sleep)
- How it works: Medication is administered through an intravenous line to help you relax and feel comfortable. This method uses as little medication as possible to complete the treatment and is considered much safer than oral sedation.
- The Experience: Intravenous sedation, or "twilight sleep," is designed to alleviate anxiety. You may not always be asleep; instead, you will be comfortable and calm, potentially drifting in and out of sleep. It enables you to tolerate procedures that might otherwise be uncomfortable, often without remembering them afterward.
- Best for: Patients with anxiety or when local anesthesia may be insufficient.
General Anesthesia
- Office-Based: Medications administered through an IV induce a state of deep sleep, closely monitored by our professionals. This helps eliminate the costly expense of having treatment carried out in an operating room.
- Hospital or Surgery Center-Based: Administered by an anesthesiologist in a hospital setting, this option is ideal for extensive procedures—such as face and jaw reconstruction or TMJ surgery—or for patients with specific medical conditions.
Safety & Certification
We hold our practice to the highest standards of safety.
- Expert Training: Our surgeons undergo extensive hospital-based training and are evaluated by state dental board-appointed examiners.
- Licensing: Their licenses are renewed every two years to ensure they continue to meet the highest standards.
- Monitoring: During IV sedation, your anesthesia is administered and monitored directly by the doctor. A constant "drip" is maintained via the intravenous tube, and an antidote is always available to reverse the effects of medications if necessary.