What it involves
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons receive extensive hospital-based training in anesthesia, which allows us to offer outpatient intravenous (IV) sedation in the office. For many patients, it means sleeping comfortably through the procedure and remembering little or nothing of it.
Throughout sedation, your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels are continuously monitored by a trained team. Before your procedure, we review your medical history and medications carefully to select the safest option for you. Developing safer intravenous sedation protocols is also an active focus of Dr. Nolan's research.
Who it's for
- Patients who feel anxious about dental or surgical care
- Longer or more complex procedures, such as full-arch implants or multiple extractions
- Patients with a strong gag reflex or difficulty getting numb
- Anyone who would simply prefer to rest through their procedure
Recovery basics
- Follow the fasting instructions you are given before your appointment.
- A responsible adult must accompany you and drive you home.
- Plan to rest for the remainder of the day; do not drive, operate machinery, or make important decisions for 24 hours.
- Grogginess typically fades within several hours.
- Your pain plan emphasizes non-opioid options whenever possible, reflecting Dr. Nolan's research into reducing postoperative opioid use.
Every recovery is individual. You'll receive written instructions specific to your procedure, and our team is always available to answer questions while you heal.