What to expect
IV Sedation
There are three main choices for anesthesia. Depending on your procedure and comfort level your oral surgeon will recommend one of the following:
- Local Anesthesia
- Nitrous Oxide
- General Anesthesia
For Patients Receiving IV Sedation
- NO Food or Drinks
Do NOT eat or drink anything 6 hours prior to the procedure, not even water.
- 18 and Under
If you are less than 18 years of age, you MUST have a legal guardian accompany you on the day of surgery.
- Your Driver
Your driver needs to arrive with you to the appointment and stay at the office during the procedure. You will want someone that will also help you pick up prescriptions and take care of you for a couple of hours after surgery.
- Medications
You can take any pre-medications that were prescribed to you. We can also provide an antibiotic in the chair if necessary.
- Valuables
Leave all valuables at home. No cell phones
will be permitted in the surgical suite.
What to expect.
Local Anesthesia
Local anesthesia is administered by injection at the site of treatment. A topical anesthetic will be placed first to numb the area to help alleviate any discomfort when the injection is given. You will be awake during this type of anesthesia, and through you may feel some pressure and movement, you should not experience any pain.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas”, is the lightest form of sedation. The medication will be administered by breathing through a nasal mask. Nitrous is very short acting and is completely eliminated from the body within minutes after being turned off. This allows the patient the ability to leave the office without an escort because there is no hang-over effect. Although the effects vary from patient to patient, most patients feel that nitrous oxide “just takes the edge off”.
General Anesthesia
General Anesthesia will be administered via an IV in the arm. The effects of the medication given in the IV will put you in a safe, relaxed, and comfortable state throughout your surgery. It is the most effective at reducing awareness and anxiety for dental procedures. You will be asleep throughout the procedure and your medication intake, breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure will be monitored by our surgical team. The medications administered will take approximately 24 hours to leave your body. Therefore, you will not be permitted to drive following the procedure. A responsible driver will need to arrive with you to your appointment and wait at our office until the surgery is finished so they can take you home.
Get to know us.
At Bloomington Oral Surgery, we know how to help you. Our board-certified surgeons and expert staff can provide the care you need to relieve the discomfort you feel.
