Anesthesia and Sedation Options in Charlotte, NC
At West Ballantyne Oral Surgery, we offer multiple anesthesia and sedation options to ensure your procedure is as comfortable and stress-free as possible. During your consultation, Dr. Soung will walk you through each option and help determine the best choice for your specific needs.
Dr. Soung completed formal anesthesia training during his residency at a Level 1 Trauma Center, and we accept major insurance plans including Delta Dental, Cigna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Whether you need a wisdom tooth removed, a dental implant placed, or another Oral Surgery procedure, the right anesthesia can make all the difference.
Anesthesia and Sedation Options Available at Our Office
We tailor your anesthesia to your procedure, your comfort level, and your health history. The options below are listed from the highest level of anesthesia to the lowest.
Moderate-to-Deep IV Sedation
For the highest level of comfort and relaxation, moderate-to-deep IV sedation is available at our office. This method is ideal for more complex procedures, for patients with higher levels of anxiety, and for our pediatric patients. Once the IV is placed, sedation begins, and most patients fall into a relaxed sleep-like state with little to no memory of the procedure afterward. Multiple vital signs are closely and continuously assessed throughout with an anesthesia monitor similar to the equipment used in hospital intensive care units and operating rooms. IV sedation requires fasting for 8 hours prior to your surgery, and a chaperone must accompany you to the appointment and drive you home.
Oral Conscious Sedation
For patients with anxiety or undergoing longer procedures, oral sedation may be recommended. This involves taking a prescribed tablet before your visit to help you feel relaxed. The sedation level can vary — from mild relaxation to moderate drowsiness — depending on your needs. You will need a responsible adult to drive you to and from your appointment, and you should expect to feel drowsy for several hours afterward.
Local Anesthesia
The most common and conservative option is local anesthesia, which involves application of a topical anesthetic (benzocaine) gel and then gently numbing the surgical area with a local anesthetic injection. Dr. Soung is very aware that this is often the most dreaded aspect of any dental or surgical procedure, so he takes extra care to make sure the numbing process is done slowly and gently.
Nitrous Oxide Is Used as an Adjunct — Not as a Standalone Option
Dr. Soung does not offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) as a sedation option on its own. He uses it in one specific way: as a short-term adjunct to take the edge off while an IV is being placed for IV sedation.
If nitrous oxide is appropriate for your appointment, Dr. Soung will bring it up during your consultation. It is not something you need to request or choose between — it simply supports the plan you and Dr. Soung agree on.
Why Anxious Patients Choose Our Practice for Sedation
Many patients come to us specifically because they are nervous about Oral Surgery. They leave because the experience was much easier than they expected.
Formal Anesthesia Training at a Level 1 Trauma Center
Dr. Soung received formal and extensive training by the VCU/MCV Department of Anesthesia in the administration of general anesthesia and of deep and moderate intravenous (IV) sedation for both adults and children. An essential component of that training was advanced and emergency airway management.
Thousands of Sedations, Zero Adverse Events
Dr. Soung has sedated thousands of patients over the course of his career with zero adverse anesthesia-related events, so you can be assured of a pleasant and safe experience.
The Same Surgeon, Every Time
You will see Dr. Soung at every visit: consultation, procedure, and follow-up. This consistency builds trust and reduces anxiety. You are never passed between different providers.
Anesthesia at Our Office
Formal Anesthesia Training
Completed at a Level 1 Trauma Center residency.
Three Levels of Anesthesia
Moderate-to-deep IV sedation, oral conscious sedation, and local anesthesia.
Continuous Monitoring
Vital signs tracked by the surgical team from start to finish.
Adults & Children
Age-appropriate approaches for pediatric patients.
Comparing Your Anesthesia Options — Which Is Right for You?
Choosing the right anesthesia depends on your procedure, your anxiety level, and your medical history. The table below compares the key differences.
| Feature | Moderate-to-Deep IV Sedation | Oral Conscious Sedation | Local Anesthesia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level of anesthesia | Moderate to deep | Mild to moderate | Numbing only |
| Awareness during procedure | Minimal to none | Drowsy but aware | Fully aware |
| Recovery time | 30–60 minutes | Drowsy for several hours | Immediate |
| Best suited for | Complex procedures, higher anxiety, pediatric patients | Anxiety or longer procedures | Straightforward procedures |
| Fasting required | Yes — 8 hours beforehand | Follow the instructions given to you | No |
| Requires a driver | Yes — a chaperone must accompany you | Yes | No |
Your consultation with Dr. Soung will determine the best option for you. Nitrous oxide is not listed here because it is not offered as a standalone choice — it is used only as a short-term adjunct to assist with IV placement.
Who Is a Candidate for Dental Sedation?
Most patients are candidates for some form of sedation. During your consultation, we review your medical history, current medications, and the planned procedure. We use this information to recommend the safest and most effective approach. Sedation is especially helpful for patients with dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or special needs.
Patient safety and comfort are at the heart of everything we do. Dr. Soung will answer all your questions about anesthesia during your consultation and help you feel fully prepared for your procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Sedation in Charlotte
Yes. Dr. Soung completed his anesthesia training at a Level 1 Trauma Center residency, including advanced and emergency airway management. All sedation is administered and monitored by our experienced surgical team, and he has sedated thousands of patients with zero adverse anesthesia-related events.
It depends on the option you and Dr. Soung choose. With moderate-to-deep IV sedation, most patients fall into a relaxed sleep-like state and have little to no memory of the procedure. Oral conscious sedation leaves you drowsy but aware, and local anesthesia keeps you fully awake with the surgical area numbed.
No. We offer moderate-to-deep IV sedation as our deepest level of in-office anesthesia. Dr. Soung is formally trained in general anesthesia from his residency, and if your case genuinely calls for it, he will discuss that with you and coordinate the appropriate setting.
Nitrous oxide is not offered as a standalone sedation option at our practice. Dr. Soung uses it only as a short-term adjunct to help with IV placement when a patient is receiving IV sedation. If it is appropriate for your appointment, he will bring it up during your consultation.
Coverage varies by plan. We accept major insurance plans including Delta Dental, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and many others. Our team can verify your benefits and explain any out-of-pocket costs before your appointment. Review our insurance and financing page for more details.
If you are receiving IV sedation, do not eat or drink for 8 hours beforehand and arrange for a chaperone to bring you to the appointment and drive you home. Oral conscious sedation also requires a responsible adult to drive you both ways. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. We will review your medical history, administer the anesthesia, and monitor you throughout the procedure.
Yes. Dr. Soung received formal training in moderate and deep IV sedation for both adults and children, and IV sedation is often the right approach for our pediatric patients. We use age-appropriate approaches to help children feel calm and safe during procedures such as wisdom teeth removal or extractions.
Schedule Your Sedation Consultation in Charlotte — finding dental sedation Charlotte NC that works with your schedule and your comfort level is easy at West Ballantyne Oral Surgery.
Ready When You Are
Whether you are coming in for a wisdom teeth consultation, an implant evaluation, or an urgent situation, we will take care of you. Step into a practice designed with your comfort and ease in mind.