Anesthesia Options

Our surgeons have extensive hospital-based anesthesia training and certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and offer a variety of anesthesia options to help you feel relaxed about your procedure and to eliminate pain during surgery. During your initial consultation with your oral surgeon, every option for your anesthesia will be discussed, and the ideal anesthesia will be added to your treatment plan based on your specific needs, level of anxiety about your treatment, and your health concerns. For the safest sedation experience possible, you will be monitored continuously during and after your surgery.

Types of Anesthesia

North Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery offers the following types of in-office anesthesia and sedation:

• Local Anesthesia. Local anesthesia called lidocaine is used in all oral surgeries, usually along with other forms of anesthesia. Lidocaine/local anesthesia is applied directly to the surgical site to rapidly calm any sensation of pain in the area.
• Nitrous Oxide. Nitrous oxide is an inhaled gas with calming and mild pain-relieving effects. Dentistry has utilized this gas for many years, usually along with other types of anesthesia such as local anesthesia. It’s referred to as laughing gas because it’s common for patients to laugh out loud while inhaling nitrous oxide!
• Office-Based IV Sedation. Intravenous sedation, also known as IV sedation or twilight sleep, is so effective that it will ease any anxiety you may have about your treatment, and you will not feel any pain associated with your procedure. You may even drift in and out of consciousness while under IV sedation. For this type of anesthesia, you must not have anything to eat or drink (excluding prescription medications with a sip of water) for at least six hours before receiving it, and a responsible adult should be present to drive you home after surgery.
• Office-Based General Anesthesia. Office-based general anesthesia puts the patient in a completely unconscious state. Patients are unaware of the procedure being performed, so even though it is usually reserved for more complex surgeries, you may request general anesthesia for your routine procedure if you have substantial anxiety about receiving surgery. Your vital signs will be closely monitored while you are under this type of anesthesia, and a designated driver is required to take you home after your procedure.

Anesthesia Options in Teaneck, NJ

Whatever anesthesia is decided upon for your procedure, you will be in the best hands with our team. Please contact us with any questions you have regarding pain management or anesthesia and sedation at our practice. As always, Drs. Friedman and Schulhof and your entire care team at North Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery hold your comfort, well-being, and safety in very high regard.