ATTENTION VA BEACH PATIENTS:
Our new location is 837 First Colonial Road, VA Beach, VA 23451
Oral surgery can feel like a big step, and it’s completely normal to feel anxious about what to expect. Whether you’re preparing for a straightforward tooth extraction or a more involved procedure, having the right level of comfort during surgery makes a meaningful difference in how you feel before, during, and after your appointment.
At Goodove Oral Surgery & Dental Implants in Virginia Beach, our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to administer the full range of anesthesia and sedation options available in oral surgery. As an independent, community-rooted practice led by Dr. Scott R. Goodove, DDS and Dr. Peter Zagursky, DDS, we take a patient-first approach to every procedure, which means your comfort and safety guide every decision we make together.
Every patient is different, and so is every procedure. We evaluate your health history, the complexity of your surgery, and your level of anxiety before recommending any sedation approach. Our goal is to match you with the option that makes the most sense for your specific situation.
Nitrous oxide is one of the most widely used and well-tolerated forms of sedation in dentistry. A gentle mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen is delivered through a small mask or nosepiece, helping you feel relaxed while remaining fully conscious and responsive.
This option works well for patients with mild anxiety or those undergoing shorter, less complex procedures. One of its biggest advantages is how quickly it takes effect and wears off, which means you may be able to drive yourself home after your appointment. If you tend to feel nervous in the dental chair but don’t need deeper sedation, nitrous oxide is often a comfortable fit.
Oral conscious sedation involves taking a prescribed medication before your appointment to reduce anxiety and help you feel calm during your procedure. You remain conscious throughout but typically feel deeply relaxed, and many patients have little memory of the appointment afterward.
This form of sedation is a popular choice for patients who feel moderate anxiety about oral surgery. Because the medication can take time to wear off fully, you will need a trusted adult to drive you home and stay with you for a period after the procedure.
IV sedation delivers sedative medication directly into the bloodstream through a small intravenous line, allowing our surgical team to precisely control and adjust your level of sedation throughout the procedure. You remain in a deeply relaxed state, often with little to no memory of the surgery afterward.
This approach is commonly used for wisdom tooth removal, dental implant surgery, and other more involved procedures where deeper comfort is beneficial. Our surgeons complete extensive hospital-based anesthesia training as part of their residency, which means they are highly prepared to administer and monitor IV sedation safely in our office.
General anesthesia is the deepest level of sedation and is reserved for patients who require surgical care in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center setting. Under general anesthesia, you are completely unconscious and will have no awareness of the procedure.
Dr. Goodove and our team hold active hospital privileges at Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD), and Virginia Beach Ambulatory Surgery Center. When a procedure requires the resources and safety infrastructure of a hospital environment, we coordinate that care directly. This is a distinction we take seriously, as not all oral surgery practices take that step when complex cases call for it.
One of the most common questions patients have before surgery is which sedation option is right for them. The answer depends on several factors, including the procedure being performed, your overall health, any relevant medical history, and your comfort level with dental treatment. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, oral surgeons are specifically trained alongside medical anesthesiologists to offer the full range of sedation options safely.
Before your procedure, we walk you through each option and answer any questions you have. We also review your medical and anesthesia history thoroughly, because your safety during surgery depends on the decisions made before you ever sit in the chair.
Preparation varies depending on the type of sedation you receive. For nitrous oxide, no special preparation is typically required. For IV sedation or general anesthesia, you will need to fast for a set number of hours before surgery and arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you during early recovery.
You can find detailed preparation guidelines on our before anesthesia surgical instructions page, which covers everything you need to know ahead of your appointment. Our team is also happy to walk you through what to expect when you schedule your consultation.
Goodove Oral Surgery & Dental Implants is an independent practice with deep roots in the Hampton Roads community. Dr. Scott R. Goodove, DDS, holds dual board certifications in oral and maxillofacial surgery and has spent more than 17 years building a practice grounded in patient safety and quality care. Our Virginia Beach team brings that same commitment to every appointment, whether you’re coming in for a routine extraction or a more complex surgical procedure.
If you have questions about sedation or are ready to schedule, we invite you to reach out to our team. We look forward to making your oral surgery experience as comfortable as possible.
Dr. Goodove brings years of specialized oral surgery expertise to Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, serving as your trusted hometown oral surgeon. With operating privileges at multiple local hospitals, Dr. Goodove delivers patient-centered care backed by advanced training and a commitment to creating comfortable, anxiety-free experiences. His philosophy of accessibility and personal attention sets the foundation for the practice's reputation as "the doctor's doctor" in the community.
Dr. Zagursky is a retired Army veteran who continues to serve the community through exceptional oral surgery care. With extensive military experience and specialized training in oral and maxillofacial surgery, Dr. Zagursky brings discipline, precision, and a deep commitment to patient welfare to every procedure. His background working with diverse patient populations and dedication to the underserved makes him an invaluable part of the Goodove Oral Surgery team.
Trusted by referring dentists and families since 2008
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Friday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
