The type of anesthesia you choose may depend on a few factors, including your overall health, your individual treatment plan, and your level of anxiety prior to oral surgery. Oftentimes, a combination of two or more different sedation options may be used to control pre-surgery anxiety and ensure minimal discomfort during treatment.
Local Anesthesia is administered in the area of surgery. It numbs the area and ensures that the patient will feel no pain during the procedure. If you’ve had a tooth pulled by your general dentist, you’ve likely received local anesthesia.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation, also known as laughing gas, is often used to control any pre-surgery anxiety. Nitrous oxide is administered through the nose as an odorless gas and is a popular sedative choice among patients. Nitrous oxide sedation can be used in conjunction with local anesthesia to maximize patient comfort.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation or General Anesthesia is typically used during more extensive surgical procedures or when a patient does not want to be aware of the treatment being performed during surgery. Patients who tend to get more nervous do especially well with IV sedation or general anesthesia, as it allows them to sleep comfortably throughout the entire procedure. This is a popular option for young adults and teens undergoing wisdom teeth removal.
Our team is concerned about the growing opioid crisis in our country, and in response, we are very proud to offer Exparel to our patients. Exparel is an opioid-free option for long-lasting and effective pain relief post-surgery, and it is on its way to becoming a favored pain control medication by both oral surgeons and patients. Clinically proven, this medication is easily tolerated and has an excellent safety profile.
As you know, Columbia Basin Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons is dedicated to offering our patients across the Columbia Basin region the very best care with the least amount of risk, and our use of Exparel reflects this promise. For a comfortable, safe recovery from oral surgery without the risk of opioid dependence, we trust Exparel to get the job done.
Receiving Exparel is easier than keeping track of pain control medications commonly prescribed post-surgery. In fact, you won’t have to take any pills at all — your oral surgeon will administer Exparel to your surgical site while you are still in surgery in one powerful dose. This dose will take effect immediately, slowly releasing into your area of surgery, relieving pain for several days into your recovery.
Exparel offers many great benefits:
At Columbia Basin Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, comfort, safety, and satisfaction are our priorities — and we strive to provide attentive and high-quality surgical care for our patients before, during, and after their treatments. You are an important part of your care team, and by choosing to add Exparel to your treatment plan, you are helping to ensure that you have a comfortable recovery and are safe from the risks and side effects of opioid medications.
During your pre-surgical consultation at our practice, you will have an opportunity to discuss adding Exparel to your treatment plan. Please contact our office with your questions or to schedule your consultation. The team at Columbia Basin Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons looks forward to providing you with the excellent and safe oral surgery care you deserve.
If you have any questions about the anesthesia options we offer or the qualifications of our oral surgeons, we encourage you to contact our office. If you are scheduled for a procedure that requires IV sedation or general anesthesia, make sure you have reviewed and understand all the pre-operative instructions. A member of our team is always available if you have any questions to prepare for your upcoming treatment.
