Thanks to modern medical advances we're able to perform most surgical procedures in our office. To make your visit as comfortable as possible, we provide safe, effective outpatient anesthesia to reduce or eliminate any pain or anxiety that may be related to your treatment. The type of anesthesia required for any procedure depends on the specific needs and/or preferences of the patient.

Children and people with special needs or conditions, such as mental disorders or dental phobias may require a higher level of anesthesia than others.

What are the levels of anesthesia?

• Local anesthesia is produced by the application or injection of a drug to eliminate pain in one specific (local) area. To minimize discomfort, a topical anesthetic is used to numb the area prior to injecting the local anesthetic.
• Conscious sedation can be used to help you relax during a procedure. Your doctor may administer an anti-anxiety agent, such as nitrous oxide, or a sedative, in combination with a local anesthetic for pain. During conscious sedation, you will remain calm during treatment, yet rational and responsive to speech and touch. Anti-anxiety agents and sedatives can be administered by mouth, inhalation or injection.
• Deep sedation and general anesthesia is used for complex procedures and for patients who have trouble controlling their movements or need a deeper level of anesthesia during treatment. During deep sedation you will be unable to respond to verbal commands and will likely not remember anything. During general anesthesia you will be unconscious.

What should I tell my doctor before receiving anesthesia?

Your doctor needs to know about all the medications that you are taking, any allergic reactions you've had to medicines in the past, and your past and present health conditions. It's important that you answer the questions completely and voice any concerns you have. This way your surgeon will be sure to tell you everything you need to know before receiving treatment. For example, in some cases, your anesthesia treatment may require that you suspend certain medications or abstain from eating or drinking for a period of time before the treatment.

Is anesthesia in our office safe?

Although taking any medication involves a certain amount of risk, the drugs that produce anesthesia are entirely safe when administered by a trained anesthesia provider. We utilize the latest, state-of-the-art monitoring and delivery techniques for administering anesthesia, and Dr. Sudbrink is board-certified by the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology.