Sedation Options
Feeling a little nervous before a procedure is completely normal. We offer sedation options for every comfort level, so you can get the care you need, and feel good throughout the process.
Why Sedation Might Be Recommended
Dental anxiety can pose a real barrier for patients wanting to move forward with oral surgery. We provide a variety of sedation options to allow you to fully relax. This helps your surgeon focus on doing their best work, and you can experience comfortable and supportive care.
We may recommend sedation if you have dental anxiety, are undergoing a longer or more complex procedure, have a strong gag reflex, or simply want to feel a deep sense of calm throughout your visit.
Your Sedation Options
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here. Your surgeon will recommend the option that fits your procedure and your comfort needs.
- Local Anesthesia: Numbs the treatment area only, and you will stay fully awake and alert. This is typically used for routine, minor procedures where deeper sedation isn’t needed
- Nitrous Oxide: Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide takes the edge off without putting you to sleep. It wears off quickly, and most patients can drive themselves home afterward
- Oral Sedation: A medication taken before your appointment that leaves you drowsy and relaxed throughout the procedure. You’ll still be responsive, but far more at ease. A driver will be needed to take you home
- IV Sedation: Delivered directly into the bloodstream for fast, precise effect. Most patients enter a deep state of relaxation and have little to no memory of the procedure. This is the most common option for oral surgery and works especially well for patients with moderate to severe anxiety
- General Anesthesia: Used for more extensive procedures, typically in a hospital setting. You are completely asleep and monitored closely throughout
A Closer Look at IV Sedation
IV sedation is often used for patients undergoing oral surgery, and for good reason. It’s administered directly into the bloodstream, which means the level of sedation can be precisely adjusted as needed throughout your procedure.
Your heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure are monitored continuously by our team. Most patients wake up with no memory of the procedure, which can give you confidence about future visits. With IV sedation, you’ll need someone to drive you home, and you should plan to rest for the remainder of the day.
Preparing for Your Sedation Appointment
Before your procedure, you’ll receive specific instructions tailored to the type of sedation being used. In general, you can expect guidance on when to stop eating and drinking beforehand, whether any medications need to be paused, and the importance of arranging a ride home. Following these instructions closely is one of the best things you can do to help everything go smoothly.
We’re Here to Make This Easy
Oral surgery should make you feel calm and confident about your future results. Our team takes the time to walk you through your sedation options, answer every question, and make sure you feel genuinely prepared before your appointment day arrives. Your comfort isn’t an afterthought — it’s part of the plan from the very beginning.
Common Questions About Sedation
That depends on the procedure, your health history, and your level of anxiety. Your surgeon will go over the options with you during your consultation and make a recommendation based on what’s safest and most appropriate for your specific situation. You’ll never be put under more sedation than necessary, and your input matters in that conversation.
Once sedation is administered, your body relaxes and the procedure begins. Your vital signs are monitored throughout, and a member of our team is with you the entire time. For IV sedation and general anesthesia, most patients have little to no awareness of the procedure. You’ll be given time to recover before being released, and you’ll need a trusted person to drive you home.
Drowsiness, mild nausea, and some grogginess are the most common side effects, particularly with IV sedation or general anesthesia. These typically resolve within a few hours. More serious reactions are rare, and our team is trained in how to respond to them. If anything feels off in the hours after your procedure, don’t hesitate to call us.
Meet the Surgeons
Behind Your Care
Our doctors bring together decades of training, broad surgical expertise, and a deep commitment to the communities they serve.
