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| Sedation Options
When you are told that you need oral surgery, you might begin to feel anxious or even afraid. You start questioning what will happen and if the surgery will hurt. At Downey Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we are highly experienced in performing many different types of surgical procedures. Your comfort and safety are some of our top priorities. To ensure that you remain comfortable and calm during your oral surgery, we offer several different sedation options. Local AnesthesiaA local anesthetic is one that is injected into the surgical site. This injection numbs the treatment area, as well as the surrounding areas so that you do not feel anything except for the pressure. Even if you choose another form of sedation, such as nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation, local anesthetics are still used. For simple surgical procedures, such as tooth extraction, you may only require the use of a local anesthetic. Minimal Sedation With Nitrous OxideNitrous oxide is better known as laughing gas. This inhaled sedative is the lightest form of sedation available. It is also considered one of the safest. As you inhale the gas, which is mixed with oxygen, you can feel almost instantly more relaxed and at ease. You are still completely conscious throughout the procedure, though, which can help patients who are afraid of being knocked out. Moderate SedationModerate sedation can be administered in the form of an oral medication or through an IV. An oral medication will require some time to take effect while an IV sedative goes to work almost immediately. You are still conscious with moderate sedation, but you may feel sleepy or a bit out of it. These sedation options are stronger than nitrous oxide. You may choose one type of moderate sedation over the other, or your medical condition may dictate which option is better for you. Deep SedationDeep sedation is also called twilight sedation. This is a form of sedation that is administered through an IV. Like moderate IV sedation, it takes effect almost immediately. However, the effects are much stronger. You may still be conscious, but you are also on the edge of consciousness. It is even possible that you might fall asleep during your procedure. You may still respond to a repeated stimulus, though. General AnesthesiaGeneral anesthesia is the strongest form of sedation. It is administered through an IV. When using general anesthesia, you sleep for the duration of your procedure. You are completely unconscious and will not respond to a stimulus or pain. This type of sedation may be recommended if you need a very invasive procedure or you will be in surgery for a long period. Such procedures include facial reconstruction or orthognathic surgery. If you are extremely anxious about your surgical procedure, you may also decide that you want to sleep throughout the entire process so that you do not remember any of it. If you are interested in learning about your sedation options, and finding out which type of sedation can help you during your surgical procedure, contact Downey Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at 562-459-3311 today. |
 Office hoursMonday-Friday: 8:00am to 4:00pm |
