Steps to Take Before Receiving Anesthesia

If our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania have reached the conclusion that you need an oral surgery procedure, then it’s important to know what steps to take before arriving at the office. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, there are certain requirements that need to be obeyed by the patient. If you do not comply, we may or may not be able to proceed.

We understand that it’s hard to fast, but you may not eat or drink anything for eight hours prior to the appointment. For your oral surgery procedure, it’s important to have a friend or family member accompany you to your appointment to drive you home, as you may experience some after effects of anesthesia. It is also recommended that you dress comfortably in loose-fitted clothes and low-heeled shoes. For ladies, nail polish shouldn’t be present at the time of surgery and all jewelry will need to be removed.

If you have questions or concerns about oral surgery, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141.

Anesthesia Side Effects

There are two types of anesthetics that we utilize here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania – local and general. Local anesthesia provides a temporary loss of sensation including pain in one part of the body produced by a topically applied or injected agent without distressing the level of consciousness for the patient. General anesthesia, on the other hand, is controlled by the doctor and sedates the patient for an extended period of time. Anesthesia produces side-effects for some patients that we’d like to take the time to explain so that you can prepare for your next appointment.

Tooth extraction is one of the most common procedures that require anesthesia. Side effects of anesthesia may occur during a surgery or procedure, or afterward when you are recovering. Side effects may include nausea and vomiting, a sore throat, muscle aches, or even confusion as the anesthesia wears off. While these symptoms may cause discomfort or frustration, it’s important to know that they won’t last long. Every patient is different and depending on what kind of anesthesia is administered you may have no side effects at all. If you have a procedure scheduled that requires anesthesia, we encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you have before it begins.

If you have questions or concerns about tooth extractions or anesthesia please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

What Types of Anesthesia Will Be Used for my Procedure?

Depending on the type of procedure being performed, there are several different options for anesthesia available here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. Local anesthetic, nitrous oxide, and general anesthesia through an IV are used for a variety of different procedures.

Local anesthesia is placed only where the surgery is being performed to numb the area. The patient is awake but cannot feel the procedure. Local anesthesia is used for every procedure.

Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas”, is administered through a mask. This form of anesthesia keeps the patient conscious, but relaxed.

General anesthesia is administered through an IV. In this scenario, the patient is completely unconscious. He or she is deeply asleep and unaware of the procedure.

Our office also offers patients “twilight sedation”, or IV sedation. This is a form of sedation where the patient may drift in and out of “twilight”-like sleep. This helps the patient relax and not remember the procedure. It also has medications that decrease pain.

Our patients’ comfort and safety is of the utmost value to us. If you are preparing for oral surgery and are curious about the type of anesthesia or sedation that will be used, contact us at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. For more information, visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Pain Management

One of the biggest concerns when our patients find out they need oral surgery is dealing with the pain. For proper management of pre and post-operative pain, we use anesthesia for the procedure and provide pain medications and a list of after-care instructions.

 

To help manage pain after the procedure, we provide the following recommendations to follow immediately after surgery:

• Rest after surgery and only resume daily activities when you feel comfortable to do so.
• Use ice packs on your face where the surgery was performed to reduce swelling and pain.
• Keep the gauze on the surgical site for 30 minutes at least, then remove and place a new one.
• Avoid touching the area or rinsing your mouth too much.
• Take your pain medication at the first sign of discomfort.
• Never use a straw after surgery, or the blood clot may become dislodged.

Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we want our patients to be as comfortable as possible during and after the surgery. Because the pain can start once anesthesia wears off, we recommend taking the first dose of pain medication just before the anesthesia has worn off completely. Call us today  at 215-463-4141 to discuss the management of pre and post-operative pain further