Sedation and General Anesthesia in Long Island City
Our range of sedation options ensures your comfort and peace of mind during treatment.
Safety first, but comfort is a close second.
For many patients, oral surgery means their first encounter with anesthesia, and not knowing what to expect can be unsettling. At Gantry OMS, anesthesia isn't an afterthought. Dr. Miller is trained to administer the full spectrum of anesthesia options, from local numbing to general anesthesia, and works closely with trusted dental anesthesiologists for more complex cases. Monitoring and emergency preparedness are on par with a hospital operating room. Your job is to show up. Ours is to handle the rest.
Understanding Anesthesia Types
Local Anesthesia
Nearly all procedures will use some sort of local anesthetic, which numbs the area being treated. This is delivered through an injection in the mouth, similar to what your dentist would use for something like a cavity filling. The anesthetic ensures you remain comfortable throughout the procedure, while staying fully awake and able to communicate with your treatment team. Its effects typically last several hours, gradually wearing off after your procedure is complete.
Nitrous Oxide
Also known as "laughing gas" or "sweet air," this method involves wearing a nosepiece during the procedure to deliver a steady flow of inhaled gas. The result is a relaxed feeling that calms anxiety and reduces discomfort. It’s great for quick cases, as the major benefit of nitrous oxide is the lack of lingering effects, allowing patients to go home immediately afterward without any assistance.
Intravenous Sedation
This type of sedation involves administering medication through an IV line (a small tube placed in a vein), providing a deeper level of sedation than nitrous oxide. Patients remain conscious but are in a deeply relaxed state, often with little to no memory of the procedure. This is particularly useful for short but intense procedures, such as wisdom tooth extraction. A period of recovery is usually needed, and patients will require assistance going home after the surgery.
General Anesthesia
Often administered as an inhlaed gas through a mask or breathing tube, general anesthesia renders the patient completely unconscious for the duration of the procedure. This is typically used for more extensive surgeries where complete unconsciousness is necessary for patient comfort and safety. The anesthesia is carefully monitored by an anesthesiologist throughout the procedure.
Have questions? We've got answers.
FAQs
How safe is sedation anesthesia?
Patient safety is our highest priority at Gantry Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. While all forms of anesthesia carry some risk, modern anesthesia techniques are safer and more effective than ever before. Before any procedure, we conduct a thorough review of your health status to determine the appropriate type of anesthesia for you. Our team is trained and equipped to provide anesthesia care at a level on par with hospital operating rooms, with continuous advanced vital sign monitoring and emergency preparedness.
Will I feel any pain during the procedure if I’m sedated?
The primary goal of sedation is to ensure your comfort, including effective pain management. Virtually all patients report no pain during the procedure while under anesthesia. Afterward, you may experience some expected post-op discomfort, but this is typically manageable with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication, as recommended.
How long do the effects of anesthesia last?
This depends on the type of anesthesia used and individual factors, such as your stature and metabolism. For local anesthesia, we tend to use longer-lasting anesthetics to minimize the time of any post-op pain; the effect will typically last 6 to 8 hours, although some patients have reported longer. Nitrous oxide effects wear off within minutes after the gas flow is stopped, allowing you to go home unassisted afterward. For intravenous sedation and general anesthesia, complete recovery can take up to 24 hours, which is why we require you to have someone accompany you home. We also advise you refrain from making any major decisions (signing contracts, etc.) during this time!