We offer a wide range of anesthesia options to ensure your comfort, regardless of the procedure you are having.

Remain Comfortable with Anesthesia Options

Anesthesia

Here at Lake Forest Oral Surgery, your comfort and safety are of utmost importance to us. We know that facing oral surgery can be daunting, and we don't want anxiety to get in the way of receiving the critical care you need.

So, when planning any procedure, anesthesia is an integral part of the discussion. There are varying degrees of sedation we can help you achieve, and which we choose will be based on the procedure being performed and your personal comfort level.

Local Anesthesia

Minor procedures like simple tooth extractions may only require a local anesthetic to ensure your complete comfort. Before we begin any procedure, we will first numb the area we're treating. The main effect of local anesthesia is numbness of the face or jaw that dissipates over a period of several hours.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is a type of anesthesia that is used to keep you comfortable just for the duration of your procedure. As Dr. Suzin Um performs your procedure, you inhale a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a small, comfortable nasal mask.

We typically perform simple surgeries and implant placements with nitrous oxide and local anesthesia. Most patients who receive nitrous oxide for sedation report feelings of calmness, well-being, and even slight euphoria.

There are no after-effects with nitrous, and you will be able to resume your usual daily activities after your appointment.

Office-Based IV Anesthesia

If you are having a more complex procedure like bone grafting or implant placement, we may recommend IV anesthesia as the best approach for you.

IV (intravenous) anesthesia is injected into your bloodstream, so the results are immediate. Since the effects of IV sedation linger for several hours, you will need transportation to get safely to and from your appointment.

Hospital-Based General Anesthesia

In the case of a fractured jaw, corrective jaw surgery, TMJ surgery, or patients who have ongoing medical concerns, we typically recommend hospital-based general anesthesia. You will go to sleep under general anesthesia, and during your procedure, an anesthesiologist will monitor your breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate.

Trust Excellence and Experience

Dr. Um has had extensive training in anesthesia; she holds a General Anesthesia Permit from the state of California and is a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology.

During the process of obtaining a general anesthesia permit, an examiner appointed by the state dental board inspects the facility and the applicant. Dr. Um and our team put your safety and comfort first and are Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certified. Dr. Um is also PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certified.

Discuss Your Needs with Dr. Um

Your comfort and well-being are our highest priorities at Lake Forest Oral Surgery. If you have questions or concerns about sedation during your procedure, please don't hesitate to let us know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IV sedation right for me?

At Lake Forest Oral Surgery, we are pleased to offer a wide range of sedation techniques that allow us to provide you with the comfort and relaxation you need to undergo certain procedures. During your initial consultation, Dr. Um will make recommendations as to the best method for you.

For simple surgeries and implant placement, we typically combine a local anesthetic with nitrous oxide sedation. Nitrous won’t put you to sleep, but it will help calm you, so you’re not as aware of your surroundings.

Other procedures require IV sedation including bone grafting or removal of impacted teeth. As the name implies, IV sedation is injected intravenously into your bloodstream, making the effects immediate.

You will achieve a deep level of comfort, but you will be semi-awake and able to respond to your surgical team. You won’t feel any pain, and you probably won’t remember anything about what took place before or immediately after your procedure.

Our team will monitor you during a brief recovery period at our office. Since the effects of IV sedation linger for several hours, you will require an escort to drive you to and from your appointment.

Please call Lake Forest Oral Surgery if you have questions about the best type of sedation for your procedure.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Suzin Um

"I am a third generation dentist following in the footsteps of my grandfather, mother, uncle, and cousins. Being an oral and maxillofacial surgeon has been a wonderful journey. I have the privilege to work with amazing patients and rehabilitate their smiles. Surgeries have become more efficient and comfortable with new technology like cone beams, scanners, and surgical guides.

My interest is to create the best result by utilizing the latest technology. Your comfort is important to us. We do our very best to make sure to help you have the best experience ...