Sedation

At Parkway Oral Surgery, we offer a range of Sedation options to help ensure your experience is calm, comfortable, and stress-free. Your oral surgeon will recommend the most appropriate approach based on your procedure, medical history, and comfort level.

We provide Local Anesthesia, Oral/IV Sedation, and Nitrous Oxide. As part of the medical campus at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital, we also have access to hospital operating rooms for cases requiring General Anesthesia.

Overview

Understanding Sedation

Sedation is the controlled use of medication to reduce anxiety, enhance comfort, and help you remain relaxed during dental and surgical procedures. Sedation levels can range from mild relaxation to deeper forms of conscious Sedation, depending on the complexity of your treatment and your personal comfort needs.

At Parkway Oral Surgery, patient safety is our highest priority. Our oral surgeons have specialized training in Sedation techniques and emergency management, and every procedure is performed with careful planning and continuous monitoring. We follow strict state and national safety protocols and use advanced equipment to monitor vital signs throughout treatment.

Sedation options we offer

Your Sedation plan is personalized to your procedure, medical history, and comfort level.

IV Sedation (moderate to deep Sedation): For patients undergoing more involved surgeries—or those who experience dental anxiety—IV Sedation offers a deeper level of relaxation. You will remain conscious but deeply relaxed, and may not remember much of the procedure. This is one of the most common options for procedures such as Wisdom Teeth Removal or Dental Implants.

Local Anesthesia: Used for minor procedures such as simple extractions or soft tissue work, Local Anesthesia numbs the specific surgical site while you remain fully awake and alert. There is no impact on your awareness, and you can return to normal activity shortly afterward.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): Nitrous Oxide provides mild Sedation and relaxation during your procedure. It’s inhaled through a small nose mask and wears off quickly after the treatment is complete, allowing you to drive yourself home in most cases.

General Anesthesia (hospital-based care)

Parkway Oral Surgery does not provide General Anesthesia in-office. For patients whose medical needs or procedures require General Anesthesia, we coordinate care through our partnership with Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital, where treatment is performed in a fully equipped hospital operating room with an Anesthesia care team.

This collaborative approach allows us to ensure the highest level of safety while providing seamless, coordinated care for complex cases.

From prep to recovery, you’re in good hands.

Your comfort starts with preparation. During your consultation, we’ll carefully review your medical history, any current medications, and past experiences with Anesthesia. This helps us select the safest and most effective Anesthesia option for your procedure.

You’ll receive detailed pre-operative instructions, which may include:

Fasting guidelines: No eating or drinking for a specific period before surgery (typically 6–8 hours) if IV or General Anesthesia is planned
Medication adjustments: Instructions on which medications to continue, pause, or adjust before your procedure
Transportation plans: You’ll need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for a few hours if you’re receiving IV Sedation or General Anesthesia
Clothing and comfort: Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing with short sleeves if receiving IV Sedation for easier access

We encourage you to bring any questions or concerns—our team is here to walk you through every detail so you feel fully prepared.

On the day of surgery, your surgical team will ensure you’re relaxed and fully monitored throughout the procedure. Depending on your Anesthesia type:

Local Anesthesia will numb only the treatment area, and you’ll remain awake and aware
Nitrous Oxide will provide mild relaxation and wear off quickly after the procedure
IV Sedation will keep you in a semi-conscious, dreamlike state—many patients have little or no memory of the procedure
General Anesthesia allows you to sleep fully through the procedure, with constant monitoring in a hospital or surgical center

Our surgeon and trained staff will continuously monitor your breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure throughout the procedure to ensure your safety and comfort.

Recovery will vary depending on the Anesthesia used:

Local Anesthesia: Numbness may last for a few hours; you’ll be able to resume normal activities quickly
Nitrous Oxide: Wears off within minutes; you may return to work or school the same day
IV Sedation or General Anesthesia: You’ll need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day. Drowsiness, minor nausea, or grogginess are common but temporary

We’ll provide:

Detailed post-op instructions, including pain management, diet recommendations, and activity restrictions
Guidance on when to resume medications and how to care for the surgical area
Information on what’s normal during recovery and when to contact us with concerns

A follow-up appointment may be scheduled to monitor healing and ensure everything is progressing as expected.

FAQs about Sedation & Anesthesia

What is the difference between Sedation and
Anesthesia?

Sedation helps you feel relaxed, comfortable, and free from anxiety during a procedure. Depending on the type used, you may be fully awake, lightly relaxed, or deeply relaxed with little memory of the procedure.

General Anesthesia is different—it places you fully asleep and is typically reserved for more complex medical situations.

Does Sedation put me to sleep during my procedure?

Patients who are sedated for their procedure are not fully asleep. Instead, Sedation allows them to remain deeply relaxed and comfortable while still breathing on their own. Many patients remember little—or nothing—about the procedure afterward.

Is Sedation safe?

Yes. Sedation is very safe when administered by trained oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Your vital signs are continuously monitored throughout the procedure, and your surgeon reviews your medical history in advance to ensure the safest approach for you.

How does Parkway Oral Surgery handle procedures
that require General Anesthesia?

Most procedures at Parkway Oral Surgery are performed using Sedation. In situations where General Anesthesia is the safest option, treatment is coordinated through Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital, where care is provided in a fully equipped hospital operating room with specialized Anesthesia teams and advanced monitoring. Your oral surgeon will discuss this with you in advance and guide you through what to expect if hospital-based care is recommended.

Will Sedation make me feel sick or nauseous?

Sedation is generally very well tolerated. Some patients may feel mild grogginess afterward, but nausea is uncommon. Following pre-operative instructions—such as fasting when required—greatly reduces the risk of side effects.

How long does it take to wear off?

This depends on the type of sedation used. Nitrous Oxide wears off quickly, often within minutes. IV and Oral Sedation can take several hours to fully wear off, and it’s normal to feel tired or groggy for the rest of the day.