Oral Surgery Procedures

    1    Initial Consultation and Personalized Planning Your process begins with a thorough, one-on-one evaluation. Dr. Farkas reviews your medical and dental history, performs detailed diagnostics (including digital imaging such as 3D CBCT scans when indicated), and discusses your goals—whether functional restoration, aesthetic enhancement, or both. He crafts a fully customized treatment plan tailored to your unique anatomy, health status, bone quality, and preferences.

    2    Pre-Procedure Preparation You'll receive clear, written instructions in advance, including guidelines on medications, fasting (if sedation is planned), and what to bring. Options for anxiety management—ranging from nitrous oxide to oral sedation or IV sedation—are available to ensure you remain relaxed and comfortable. The team prioritizes open communication so you feel informed and at ease.

    3    The Day of Surgery Procedures such as tooth extractions, bone grafting, sinus lifts (sinus augmentation), ridge augmentation, soft tissue (gum) grafting, dental implant placement, or full-arch reconstruction (e.g., All-on-4®/All-on-X) are performed with meticulous attention to detail in our modern, state-of-the-art facility.

    ◦    Advanced techniques and biocompatible materials are used to optimize outcomes and support natural healing.

    ◦    Local anesthesia is standard, with sedation options to minimize awareness and discomfort.

    ◦    The surgical team monitors you closely throughout, maintaining the highest standards of sterility and safety.

    4    Immediate Post-Procedure Care You'll receive detailed aftercare instructions, prescriptions for pain management and antibiotics (if needed), and guidance on managing common temporary effects such as swelling, minor bleeding, or discomfort. Ice packs, rest, and a soft diet are typically recommended initially. Most patients return home the same day.

    5    Recovery and Follow-Up Healing timelines vary by procedure—simple extractions or implant placements often involve days to weeks of mild recovery, while bone grafting or sinus lifts may require several months for full integration before final restoration. Dr. Farkas and the team provide ongoing monitoring through scheduled follow-up visits to track progress, address any concerns promptly, and ensure optimal results.

Yes, you can receive sedation to ease dental anxiety.  At Smile Montecito, we fully recognize that dental anxiety (also known as dental phobia or fear) is a common and very real barrier that prevents many people from seeking essential oral health care. Our goal is to make your experience as comfortable, stress-free, and positive as possible.

Our Conscious Sedation Options for Anxiety Relief

Dr. Andrew Farkas, DDS, DABOI—board-certified with advanced training in sedation—tailors these choices to your level of anxiety, medical history, procedure complexity, and personal preferences:

    •    Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) A gentle, inhaled option delivered through a comfortable nasal mask. It induces quick relaxation and mild euphoria within minutes, while you remain fully awake, able to communicate, and responsive to instructions. Effects wear off rapidly once the gas is turned off, allowing you to drive home shortly after your appointment with minimal (if any) lingering effects.

    •    Oral Sedation A prescription pill taken about an hour before your procedure. This creates a deeper state of calm and drowsiness, often with partial amnesia (little to no memory of the treatment). You'll stay conscious and able to respond verbally, but feel profoundly relaxed throughout.

    •    IV Sedation (Intravenous Conscious Sedation) Administered directly into a vein for precise, adjustable control. This delivers a deeper level of relaxation—many patients describe it as feeling "asleep" or detached from the procedure—while still breathing independently and maintaining protective reflexes. It's especially helpful for moderate to severe anxiety or longer/more involved procedures.

At Smile Montecito, we prioritize your safety, comfort, and a smooth recover for our oral surgery procedures. Dr. Andrew Farkas employs a combination of local anesthesia and conscious sedation options tailored to your needs and level of anxiety.

Key Aspects of Our Approach

Local Anesthesia
This is the foundation of pain management during every procedure. It effectively numbs the treatment area, ensuring you feel no discomfort while remaining fully awake and responsive.

Conscious Sedation Options (also known as moderate sedation). For patients who experience dental anxiety, nervousness, or prefer a more relaxed experience.

    •    Nitrous oxide/oxygen (laughing gas) for mild relaxation
    •    Oral sedation (taken by mouth prior to the appointment)
    •    IV sedation (intravenous) for deeper, yet controlled, relaxation

With conscious sedation, you stay awake, can respond to verbal cues, and maintain your protective reflexes. Many patients describe the experience as feeling deeply calm, drowsy, or like time passes quickly—often with little to no memory of the procedure afterward.

Benefits Compared to General Anesthesia

Conscious sedation provides several advantages in an office-based setting like ours:

    •    Faster recovery — Most patients feel alert and can resume normal activities (with a companion's assistance) shortly after the procedure, often within hours.
    •    Fewer side effects — Reduced risk of nausea, prolonged grogginess, or respiratory complications associated with deeper unconsciousness.
    •    Lower overall risk — Performed safely in our state-of-the-art facility without the need for hospital-level monitoring required for general anesthesia.

Dr. Farkas holds ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification and is trained in IV and oral sedation administration, ensuring the highest standards of patient monitoring and emergency preparedness throughout your procedure.

Recovery after oral surgery at Smile Montecito is generally smooth and well-managed, though it varies based on the specific procedure (e.g., dental implant placement, bone grafting, sinus lift, ridge augmentation, soft tissue grafting, or full-arch reconstruction, your overall health, and how closely you follow post-operative instructions.

Most patients experience mild to moderate symptoms that resolve progressively, with the initial discomfort phase lasting days to a couple of weeks, while deeper healing (such as bone integration) takes months. Dr. Farkas provides personalized, detailed post-operative guidance to optimize healing, reduce complications, and support your long-term success.

The difference between a dental procedure and oral surgery lies primarily in the complexity and invasiveness of the treatment involved. Dental procedures typically encompass treatments aimed at maintaining oral health and preventing dental issues. Dental procedures are generally less invasive and often performed by your general dentists. These procedures may include routine cleanings, fillings, root canals, and tooth extractions.

On the other hand, oral surgery involves surgical interventions specifically focused on addressing more complex dental issues or conditions affecting the mouth, jaw, and surrounding structures. Oral surgery procedures are typically performed by dentists and maxillofacial surgeons, who have undergone additional years of training specifically in surgical procedures relates to the mouth, gums, and jaw.