Anesthesia and Oral Surgery: Understanding Your Sedation Options

Most oral surgery can be done comfortably with one of four levels of anesthesia: local anesthesia (numbing only), nitrous oxide (laughing gas), IV sedation (often called twilight sedation), or general anesthesia. The right choice depends on the procedure, your health history, and how anxious you feel about treatment. At Elmhurst Oral Surgery, IV sedation is administered and monitored by Dr. Chandler himself.

For many people, the procedure itself is not the hardest part of oral surgery. It is the worry leading up to it. Will I feel anything? Will I be awake? What if I panic in the chair? These are some of the most common questions patients ask, and they are completely reasonable.

The good news is that comfort is built into oral surgery. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to provide the full range of anesthesia, from simple numbing to general anesthesia, right in the office. Here is a clear look at each option, what it feels like, and how you and your surgeon decide what fits you best.

What are the anesthesia options for oral surgery?

There are four main levels, and they build on one another. Local anesthesia is used in nearly every procedure to numb the area. The other options are added on top of it to help you relax or sleep through treatment.

Local anesthesia: fully awake, fully numb

A local anesthetic, such as lidocaine, is placed in the area where surgery will happen. You stay fully conscious and aware, but the area is numb, so you should not feel pain. You may still notice pressure or movement. Local anesthesia works well for nearly all procedures and for patients who feel calm about treatment.

Nitrous oxide: relaxed and conscious

Nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, is a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen breathed through a small nasal mask. You remain conscious, but you feel noticeably more relaxed. It is a gentle step up for patients who want to take the edge off without being sedated.

IV sedation: the twilight option

With IV sedation, medication is delivered through a thin IV line in your arm or hand. Many patients describe it as drifting into a deeply relaxed, drowsy state, and many remember little or nothing of the procedure afterward. At Elmhurst Oral Surgery, IV sedation is administered and monitored by the doctor and patient care team throughout your procedure. This is a popular choice for wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, and for anyone who feels anxious about surgery.

General anesthesia: fully asleep

With office-based general anesthesia, medications are given through an IV and you fall asleep, completely unaware of the procedure. Supplemental oxygen is provided, and your vital signs are closely monitored the entire time. For very extensive procedures, or for patients with certain serious medical conditions, general anesthesia may be recommended in a hospital or surgery center setting instead.

Which sedation option is right for me?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and that is the point of your consultation. Your surgeon will consider several factors with you:

• The type and length of the procedure
• Your medical history and any medications you take
• Your past experiences with anesthesia, and any family history of anesthesia problems
• How anxious you feel about treatment

If dental anxiety has kept you from getting care you know you need, say so. That information matters, and it is one of the main reasons sedation options exist. Fear should never be the reason a problem goes untreated.

Is anesthesia in an oral surgeon’s office safe?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are uniquely trained for office-based anesthesia. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), after dental school they complete a minimum of four years in a hospital-based surgical residency, training alongside medical residents in general surgery, anesthesia, and other specialties. That training includes airway management, IV placement, and managing complications and emergencies. AAOMS also requires ongoing anesthesia education and regular office anesthesia evaluations.

Dr. Chandler holds both a dental degree and a medical degree and is board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. That dual training means your anesthesia plan is built around your whole health picture, not just the tooth being treated.

How do I prepare for IV sedation or general anesthesia?

If you are having IV sedation or general anesthesia, your preparation matters. Elmhurst Oral Surgery’s pre-anesthesia instructions include:

• Nothing to eat or drink for six hours before your appointment. This includes water.
• Bring a responsible adult. They must come with you, stay in the office during the procedure, and drive you home.
• Dress comfortably. Wear loose clothing with sleeves that roll up past the elbow, and low-heeled shoes.
• Ask about your medications. If you take routine medications, check with Dr. Chandler before your surgery date.
• Skip the extras. Remove contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures, and avoid lipstick, heavy makeup, and nail polish.
• Tell us if you are sick. Let the office know about a cold, sore throat, or stomach upset before your appointment.
• Plan to rest. Do not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours afterward.

Your full pre-anesthesia instructions are available on the Surgical Instructions page of our website.

What does recovery from sedation feel like?

After local anesthesia, you can usually return to normal activities, with some numbness lingering for a few hours. After nitrous oxide, the effects wear off quickly once the gas is stopped. After IV sedation or general anesthesia, expect to feel drowsy for the rest of the day. Plan to go home, rest, and let someone else handle driving and decisions until the next day.

Frequently asked questions

Will I feel pain during oral surgery?

Local anesthesia is used to numb the treatment area in nearly every procedure, so pain during surgery should not be expected. You may feel pressure. With IV sedation or general anesthesia, most patients are unaware of the procedure altogether.

Will I be asleep with IV sedation?

IV sedation places you in a deeply relaxed, drowsy state. Many patients remember little or nothing of the procedure. General anesthesia, by contrast, puts you fully asleep.

Can I drive myself home after sedation?

No. If you have IV sedation or general anesthesia, a responsible adult must drive you home, and you should not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours.

I am very anxious about dental work. Can sedation help?

Yes. Sedation is designed for exactly this. Share your concerns at your consultation, and Dr. Chandler will talk through which option can help you feel most at ease.

Who gives the anesthesia at Elmhurst Oral Surgery?

IV sedation and anesthesia are administered and monitored by the doctor throughout your procedure.

 

Elmhurst Oral Surgery

Jeffrey W. Chandler, DDS, MD, Board-Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

360 W. Butterfield Rd., Suite 220, Elmhurst

630-833-0395

elmhurstoralsurgery.com

 

This article is general educational information and is not a substitute for an in-person evaluation and the personalized advice of your oral surgeon.