It is normal for patients to experience anxiety before their surgical procedure. The surgical staff at Utah Facial & Oral Surgery want to ensure that you feel as comfortable as possible before your procedure, so we offer various sedation options. The methods used depend on the patient’s preference and the nature of the surgical procedure.
What Are My Anesthesia Options?
Local Anesthesia
A local anesthetic is administered in the area that the surgery is performed and can be used in conjunction with other anesthetic options, such as nitrous oxide.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide sedation is also known as laughing gas and is commonly used when patients experience mild to severe anxiety before the procedure. A mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen is administered through a nasal breathing apparatus.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation General Anesthesia
IV sedation is administered through an intravenous line and allows the patient to fall completely asleep throughout the procedure. This option allows for varying degrees of anesthetic depth tailored to the needs of the patient. IV anesthesia is commonly used to facilitate surgical procedures such as wisdom teeth removal, dental implant placement, bone grafting, and many other surgical procedures. This anesthetic option can also be used when patients experience a high level of anxiety.
Hospital or Surgery Center-Based General Anesthesia
If you undergo an extensive procedure, such as facial trauma surgery or jaw reconstruction, you may undergo general anesthesia in a hospital or surgery center, which is administered by an anesthesiologist.
Are Oral Surgeons Qualified to Administer Anesthesia?
Absolutely! Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are required to undergo extensive training and gain valuable experience in the medical field performing anesthesia before entering into oral surgery practice. This training and hands-on experience includes the administration of anesthesia in hospital operating rooms, as well as in-office anesthesia in specialty facilities. Oral surgeons receive the highest level of licensure for dental practitioners to perform anesthesia, which allows them to administer deep sleep or general anesthesia.
Contact our office in the Salt Lake and Utah Counties area today to schedule your consultation at (801) 446-4428!
