About Anesthesia

 

LOCAL ANESTHESIA

Some patients can have their procedures completed using local anesthesia to “numb” the area.  This technique is commonly used for routine tooth extraction, implant placement or minor biopsy.  We routinely “buffer” the local anesthesia which significantly improves the comfort of the injection and multiplies the potency of the local anesthetic some 6000 fold  !!!!  Our goal to minimize discomfort throughout your visit.

 

IV SEDATION / GENERAL ANESTHESIA

Other patients prefer to be “asleep” during their procedure. The benefits of intravenous sedation / general anesthesia include a decrease in anxiety and awareness during the surgery. This translates into near or total amnesia of the procedure, lack of noise perception and no pain. During the procedure it is important to note that patients are still given local anesthetic to “numb” the area as partially sedated patients may feel occasional pressure. Some patients will fall all the way to sleep, while others may be sedated. This is managed on an individual basis.  A CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY FOR PATIENTS WHO WISH IV SEDATION OR GENERAL ANESTHESIA.

Coming to our office for the day of surgery is no different than having surgery in your own hospital and it is often much more user friendly. The equipment in our surgical suites and recovery room are the same as those used in the hospitals. When you arrive in the surgical suite, the nurse or dental assistant will connect you to a number of monitors. These devices are typically a blood pressure cuff, an EKG (electrocardiogram) and a pulse oximeter (a device that measures the amount of oxygen in your blood) and a capnograph, which measures exhaled carbon dioxide and keeps track of breathing.

Therefore, it is suggested that you wear loose clothing to facilitate the application of these important devices. Routinely, drugs will be injected into the IV to cause you to relax or sleep. Once you are able to sit up, the IV will be removed and you are almost ready to leave. At this time the recovery room nurse will review with you and your ride all the postoperative instructions and answer any questions either of you may have in regards to care of your mouth. Dr. Bosack is always on-call and can answer any emergency questions you may have in regards to your care following surgery.