If you find out that you need to have an oral surgery procedure it’s not uncommon that you may be anxious. Oral surgeons perform different types of sedation which can help alleviate your anxiety.
• Minimal Sedation – Minimal sedation can be performed with an IV or another option is by taking a pill (oral sedation). The pill is prescribed by your provider and you take it about an hour prior to your appointment. Typically, the pill in the same family of medications as Valium. You will be awake, but you are drowsy, relaxed and less concerned. Some patients will fall asleep during the appointment. Your vital signs will be monitored and you will need a driver for your appointment, as the medication sometime takes up to 24 hours to fully be out of your system.
• Inhaled Minimal Sedation – Also known as Nitrous Oxide or laughing gas. You will breathe Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen through a mask over your nose. You will be conscious and awake, but relaxed. Your vital signs will be monitored. The inhaled sedation wears off quickly when removed by your provider and you may be able to drive yourself home.
• IV Moderate Sedation – Also known as IV conscious sedation. This type of sedation makes you sleepy and not very aware of what is going on. You receive the sedative medications through your vein, and your provider will adjust the level of sedation. Your vital signs will be monitored. You must fast prior to having IV moderate sedation and you must have a driver for your appointment.
• Deep Sedation – Deep sedation is a deeper level of IV Sedation than Moderate Sedation. You receive the sedative medications through your vein, and your provider will adjust the level of sedation. Your vital signs will be monitored. You must fast prior to having IV moderate sedation and you must have a driver for your appointment.
• General Anesthesia – General anesthesia is the deepest level of anesthesia. You are completely unconscious for the procedure. You receive the sedative medications through your vein, and your provider will adjust the level of sedation.Your vital signs are monitored. You must fast prior to having general anesthesia and you must have a driver for your appointment.
All of the levels of anesthesia described above are part of what is called an anesthesia continuum.
