Anesthesia

At SD Oral, Facial, and Implant Surgery we understand that patients experience varying degrees of fear and anxiety when it comes to surgical procedures. It is for this reason that we offer multiple anesthesia options to our patients who are planning on undergoing oral surgical procedures. Our highly skilled oral and maxillofacial surgeons have undergone many years of training beyond dental school where they gained extensive experience in administering all types of anesthesia in a safe and effective manner. At SD Oral, Facial, and Implant Surgery we do everything we can to ensure your comfort during your treatment.

Local Anesthesia

Local anesthetic is administered directly to the surgical area, producing a numbing effect. Local anesthesia can be performed alone or in conjunction with other forms of anesthesia (ex. nitrous oxide sedation, general anesthesia). If local anesthesia is performed alone, the patient will not experience pain from the procedure, but awareness and memory are unaltered. Patients who are planning to have procedure performed under local anesthesia can present to their appointment alone and do not need an escort to drive to and from their procedure. The duration of numbing effect may vary from patient to patient, but typically lasts 1-2 hours after the procedure. Local anesthesia is the anesthesia of choice for minimally invasive and minor procedures involving one tooth or implant and is best suited for patients without significant dental anxiety. 

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas”, is an inhaled gas that provides mild sedation and pain-relieving effects. The gas is administered through a nasal mask as the patient breathes through their nose. The patient will remain conscious throughout the procedure, but in a heightened state of relaxation. Awareness during the procedure is decreased, but memory of the procedure is unaltered. Because the effects of the gas wear off quickly after the procedure, the patient can present to their appointment alone and does not need an escort to drive them to and from their procedure. Nitrous oxide is the anesthesia of choice for minimally invasive and minor procedures involving 1-3 teeth/implants and is best suited for patients with mild dental anxiety.

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia puts the patient to sleep, allowing them to remain comfortable for the duration of the procedure and wake up once the procedure is complete. All medications are administered through an IV placed on the arm or hand. Patients’ vital signs are closely monitored throughout the procedure, allowing our surgeons to safely perform even the most difficult procedures without any patient discomfort. General anesthesia is the anesthesia of choice for more invasive procedures, such as wisdom tooth extractions, and is best suited for patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety.