Local Anesthesia

Local or regional anesthesia is used to prevent pain during surgery. Sometimes it is used by itself, with no other medications, so that the patient remains wide awake during surgery. It can also be combined with sedative drugs to make the patient relaxed or sleepy during surgery.

Most local and regional anesthetic techniques involve using a syringe and needle to inject drugs in the correct place. The local anesthetic may sting during injection, but most patients consider this discomfort a small price to pay for pain relief during and after surgery.

During the operation, patients may still be able to feel touch and pressure, but patients should not feel pain during the operation.

Local and regional anesthesias are very safe. The most common side effect is a temporary weakness or paralysis of the affected area. This will wear off after awhile.

Monitored

Monitored anesthesia is used with patients who are medically compromised, but do not require general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. The patient’s heart and oxygen levels are monitored throughout the procedure. Monitored anesthesia is used in conjunction with local anesthesia.

IV Sedation

Intravenous Sedation is the state-of-the-art technique for the comprehensive control of pain and anxiety in oral & maxillofacial surgery. Intravenous Sedation uses sedative drugs that are delivered through the bloodstream in an IV tube allowing you to comfortably sleep through your procedure. Most patients have a pleasant experience and are unaware that the surgery has been completed.

It is the method of choice for the treatment of the highly fearful patient and those patients that want to be very comfortable during treatment. Because of the kinds of drugs used and the method of delivery, IV Sedation allows the oral & maxillofacial surgeon to control the drugs’ effects precisely.

All of our doctors have had extensive training and experience in the administration of anesthesia and sedation and are certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. All of our assistants are certified in CPR. Your vital signs are continuously monitored while our state-of-the-art equipment sedates you.

Prior to any procedure or anesthetic, the doctor will review your medical history and discuss the different anesthetic options with you.

Before IV Sedation

You may not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for eight (8) hours prior to the appointment.
No smoking at least 12 hours before surgery. Ideally, cut down or stop smoking as soon as possible prior to the day of surgery.

A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home.

  • The patient should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following the anesthesia experience.
  • Please wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves which can be rolled up past the elbow, and low-heeled shoes.
  • Contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery.
  • Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup, or nail polish on the day of surgery.
  • If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, stomach or bowel upset, please notify the office.
  • If you take routine oral medications, please check with Dr. Griffin prior to your surgical date for instructions

After IV Sedation:

Amnesia almost always occurs post-operatively, for varying lengths of time during the day. For this reasons, you are strongly advised not to drive, operate machinery or make any legal decisions for 24 hours.

There may be some bruising, swelling or vein irritation at the intravenous site. Though the latter rarely occurs, these symptoms are usually transient in nature and would create only a minor inconvenience.

Over-sedation and prolonged recovery occur in some sensitive individuals. More particularly, this may occur in those who have been taking prescribed or recreational drugs but withhold this information during the preoperative assessment. (This includes alcohol, sleeping pills, antihistamines or pain relievers).

General Anesthesia

General Anesthesia is the most powerful form of anesthesia. General anesthesia uses medication to make a person unconscious. It is administered in our office by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist under the supervision of our doctors.

Medications are commonly breathed into the lungs or injected into the veins through an intravenous line inserted into the vein of the hand or arm.

A ventilator, or artificial breathing machine, breathes for the person during the procedure. A ventilator requires a tube to be into the windpipe. The tube goes through the mouth or nose and into the windpipe. Oxygen and inhaled medication can then be delivered to the lungs.

The patient is monitored closely during the procedure. The oxygen levels in the blood, pulse, blood pressure and other functions are monitored. Fluids are usually given through and intravenous line to prevent dehydration and low blood pressure.

The patient is totally asleep and unable to feel pain during the surgery. When the procedure is complete, the medication is turned off. The person will have no memory of the surgery when they wake up. Gradually the patient will wake up and begin the recovery process.

After getting home, the patient should rest for the remainder of the day. By the next day, the anesthesia is usually out of the system. You should not drive for at least 12 hours after the procedure.