Anesthesia and Oral Surgery
Anesthesia is an important part of every oral surgery procedure. And thankfully, we have a wide spectrum of choices available to us today. We can block pain, calm your nerves, and even give you a restful sleep if you want while we work through your procedure.
Oral surgeons are trained and qualified in all types of anesthesia, from local to general and everything in between. We spend at least four years in residency in a hospital learning how to evaluate, deliver and monitor patients under anesthesia.
Anesthesia: A Spectrum of Options
Local Anesthetic
Local anesthetics such as “lidocaine” are used in nearly all oral surgery procedures. These medicines are administered directly to the surgical site and numb the tissue so that you feel no pain. For some minor procedures such as soft tissue and simple extractions, a local anesthetic is all we need (although you may choose additional methods) to get the job done.
Oral Sedatives
For some people, the use of an oral sedative about an hour before the procedure can help with anxiety. While oral sedatives aren’t enough on their own to eliminate pain, they provide patients with a sense of calm prior to the procedure. Local anesthesia is then used to numb the surgical site.
Nitrous Oxide (“Laughing Gas”)
Commonly known as “laughing gas”, this treatment involves a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, administered through a breathing mask. You are conscious but relaxed and may not remember everything that happens during the procedure. Nitrous oxide provides some pain relief, but is not comprehensive – it is typically used in conjunction with local anesthesia for total pain control.
IV Sedation
This type of sedation is very comfortable and doesn’t involve a lengthy recovery phase as general anesthesia does. With IV sedation”, you are partially awake for the procedure, but you are comfortable and calm, and may have no memory of the surgery when you “wake up”. This type of sedation is administered through an IV in our office and can be reversed at any time with an antidote – it is a safe and very effective way to perform procedures on patients who have anxiety about surgery. It is suitable for most oral surgery procedures.
A Summary of your Options
| Anesthesia Type | Asleep or Awake | Need a Ride Home | Fasting Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Anesthesia | Awake | No | No |
| Oral Sedatives | Awake but Relaxed | Yes | No |
| Nitrous Oxide | Awake but Relaxed | No | No |
| IV Sedation | Conscious but Little Memory | Yes | Yes |
Safety and Anesthesia
Your safety is our number priority. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have an excellent safety record in anesthesia. The training for anesthesia during oral surgery residency is very extensive, more so than for any other health specialist, with the exception of anesthesiologists.
Anesthesia: What to Expect
- Fast: No food or drinks 8 hours prior to your procedure if you are having IV (“twilight”) sedation or general anesthesia.
- Bring a Buddy: You will need a responsible adult to accompany you to your appointment and drive you home following IV sedation, or if you are taking oral sedatives.
- Comfort and Care: We will make you comfortable before, during and after your procedure using the discussed anesthesia plan.
- Visit our Before Anesthesia page for complete instructions.
If you have any concerns about an upcoming procedure, please give us a call, we are here to answer any questions you m