Every patient and procedure is different. Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons offer several levels of anesthesia and sedation, allowing treatment to be tailored to the procedure, medical history, level of anxiety, and individual comfort needs of each patient.
Local Anesthesia – Medication is administered directly to the surgical area to numb the treatment site while the patient remains fully awake and alert. Local anesthesia is used for many procedures and is also routinely combined with other forms of sedation.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation – Commonly known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is inhaled through a small nasal mask to help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Patients remain awake and responsive, and the effects typically wear off quickly after the gas is discontinued.
Oral Sedation – A prescribed medication is taken by mouth before the procedure to help reduce anxiety and create a more relaxed experience. Patients remain conscious but may feel drowsy and may have limited memory of the procedure. Because the medication can impair coordination and judgment, a responsible adult is required to provide transportation.
IV Moderate Sedation – Medications are administered directly through an intravenous line, allowing the surgeon to carefully adjust the level of sedation throughout the procedure. Patients are typically very relaxed and drowsy and may have little memory of their treatment while continuing to respond purposefully when needed.
Deep IV Sedation / General Anesthesia – For more involved procedures or patients who prefer to be unaware of their treatment, intravenous medications can provide a deep level of sedation or general anesthesia. The surgical and anesthesia team continuously monitors the patient throughout the procedure using specialized anesthesia and monitoring equipment.
For many oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures, intravenous (IV) sedation and anesthesia can be safely provided in the comfort and convenience of our office. IV medications are administered directly into the bloodstream, allowing the surgeon to carefully adjust the level of sedation throughout the procedure. Most patients are deeply relaxed and have little to no memory of their treatment.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons receive extensive hospital-based anesthesia training as part of their surgical residency, including the administration of IV sedation and general anesthesia and the management of the airway. Our surgical team also utilizes specialized monitoring equipment to continuously assess important vital signs throughout the procedure.
In-office IV sedation can help reduce anxiety, maximize comfort, and allow surgical procedures to be completed efficiently while maintaining a strong focus on patient safety before, during, and after treatment.
The following
Do not eat or drink anything (not even water) for at least 8 hours prior to your appointment.
You must come with a responsible adult to drive you home after your appointment. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Wear a loose fitting shirt. If you wear long sleeves you must be able to roll them up all the way without them being too tight on your arm.
Please write down the names of any medications you take.
Please notify us if you have had a cold or have been ill in the past week.
Our practice offers comprehensive oral and maxillofacial surgery, and our board-certified surgeons specialize in dental implants, advanced bone grafting, wisdom teeth removal, oral pathology, and IV sedation to restore oral health, function, and confidence.
Impacted or crowded wisdom teeth can lead to pain, infection, and shifting of nearby teeth, so our team removes them before they cause lasting problems with your bite and oral health.
Dental implants replace missing tooth roots, providing a secure foundation for natural-looking, fixed or removable replacement teeth.
Bone grafting restores lost bone and encourages new bone growth, creating a strong foundation for dental implants while improving both function and appearance.
IV sedation helps reduce anxiety and maximize comfort during oral surgery, allowing patients to feel deeply relaxed while our surgical team carefully monitors their safety throughout the procedure.
“I’ve seen Dr. Hlousek on a number of occasions and am impressed not only by his surgical expertise and knowledge but how caring he is. He explained everything in advance and even called me the day after my procedure to see how I was feeling and to call if I needed anything. He has a big heart and even donates his valuable time and skills to those less fortunate… my kind of doctor!”
“Oral Surgery Specialists are wonderful. From the front desk staff, to the dental assistants, to the doctors, you couldn’t ask for better care. Dr. Jones was kind and compassionate, talking me through everything he was doing. I highly recommend this practice.”
“The team was tremendous. Everyone was extremely nice and explained the whole process in manner that was easy to absorb when you’re anxious about why you are there. During the procedure, Dr Chambers and the whole team were incredibly efficient and well orchestrated, all while being very attentive to pain levels. Absolutely an auto recommend.”
“Dr. Kufta has the hands of an angel!! He and his team are the absolute best at what they do. After four visits, they are still warm, professional, and excellent listeners who always make me feel comfortable and well cared for.”
