Anesthesia Choices

Anesthesia Choices

Because so many of the surgical services provided by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are provided in the office setting, our specialty originated and continues to improve office and outpatient anesthesia beyond just local anesthesia ("numbing medicine"). Local anesthesia is part of every surgical procedure and requires injection of a medication to block nerve conduction temporarily. These conduction blocks result in numbness to the area being treated. The trouble with local anesthesia is that the injections are uncomfortable and it does nothing to alter awareness of the procedure. Many people, understandably, find our procedures anxiety-provoking, annoying, and/or threatening despite having profound numbness. For this reason we have developed and offer other options.

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation means taking medication by mouth prior to the procedure to decrease anxiety and alter awareness somewhat. With this form of anesthesia patients are still aware of their procedures but are substantially less bothered or concerned by them. Of course local anesthesia is used as well. Typically oral sedation medication is valium or something very similar. Many times these medications will diminish vivid memory of the procedure as well. Oral sedation can be used alone or in combination with other anesthesia choices.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is an inhalational sedative/anxiolytic. It is commonly called "laughing gas". It is delivered via a small mask that fits over the nose. The gas is absorbed in the lungs and circulates causing a mild to moderate sedative effect. Patients are still aware of their procedures but less concerned. Many times nitrous oxide is used prior to injections or IVs to make these procedures less bothersome. Nitrous oxide can be used in conjunction with oral or IV sedation.

IV (intravenous sedation)

Intravenous sedation is the most potent sedation delivered by our surgeons. It is commonly referred to as "twilight anesthesia". Intravenous sedation requires starting an IV (intravenous access). Intravenous access allows us to titrate different medications until patients are lightly asleep. Protective reflexes such as breathing, coughing, etc. remain intact. After patients are asleep local anesthesia injections are administered and surgery performed. This form of anesthesia allows the patient to be completely unaware of their procedures and is a very popular and appropriate choice for many of our procedures.

General Anesthesia

While intravenous sedation is capable of brief episodes of "general anesthesia", sustained general anesthesia requires the services of an Anesthesiologist. Sustained general anesthesia means that the patient is deeply unconscious and even basic protective reflexes are absent. We have the ability and all necessary equipment to schedule these services and have them performed in our office when the need arises.