Anesthesia
An upcoming visit to an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon can invoke a sense of anxiety. In particular, most patients are concerned about possible pain.
The good news is that whether your procedure requires local, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia, today’s technology makes it possible to perform complex surgery in our office with little or no discomfort.
Extensive Training and Experience in the Control of Pain and Anxiety
The ability to provide patients with safe, effective outpatient anesthesia has distinguished the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery since its earliest days. As the surgical specialists of the dental profession, Dr. Clark, Dr. Cole, and Dr. Patel are trained in the field of anesthesia administration. Following dental school, Dr. Clark, Dr. Cole, and Dr. Patel have completed at least four years of training in a hospital-based surgical residency program including rotations through general surgery, anesthesia, and other specialties. During this time, as OMS residents they completed a six-month rotation on the medical anesthesiology service, during which they became competent in evaluating patients for anesthesia, delivering the anesthetic, and monitoring post-anesthetic patients.
As a result of this extensive training, Dr. Clark, Dr. Cole, and Dr. Patel are well-prepared to identify, diagnose, and assess the source of pain and anxiety within the scope of their discipline, and to appropriately administer local anesthesia, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. Further, they are experienced in airway management, establishing and maintaining intravenous lines, and managing complications and emergencies that may arise during the administration of anesthesia.
Putting Your Mind at Ease
The best way to reduce anxiety is to make certain you know what to expect during and after surgery. As with most anxiety-producing situations, the more you know, the less you have to be anxious about.
Prior to surgery, Dr. Clark, Dr. Cole, or Dr. Patel will review with you the type of anesthetic to be used, as well as the way you are likely to feel during and after the operation. This is the time to discuss any concerns you may have about any facet of the procedure.
During surgery, one or more of the following may be used to control your pain and anxiety: local anesthesia, nitrous oxide-oxygen, intravenous sedation, and general anesthesia. Commonly, patients describe their feelings during surgery as comfortable and surprisingly pleasant.
After surgery, you will be given post-operative instructions, and medication to make you as comfortable as possible when you get home. You will also be given a phone number to reach the doctors at anytime during the day or night if you have any questions or concerns.
We will do everything we can to make your visit to our office as comfortable and pleasant as possible.