Administration of Anesthesia
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) are trained in all aspects of anesthesia administration. Following dental school, an OMS completes a minimum of four years of training in a hospital-based surgical residency program alongside medical residents in general surgery, anesthesia and other medical specialties. During this time, OMS residents must serve on the medical anesthesiology service, where they learn to evaluate patients for anesthesia, develop a personalized anesthetic plan, deliver the anesthetic and monitor post-anesthetic patients. In addition, they are well-trained to evaluate and provide anesthesia to their own oral surgery patients.
The ability to provide patients with safe, effective outpatient anesthesia has distinguished the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery since its earliest days. Whether your procedure requires local or deeper forms of anesthesia, today’s technology makes it possible to perform surgery in the OMS office with little or no discomfort.
Extensive Training and Experience in the Control of Pain and Anxiety
As a result of their extensive training, every OMS is 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, all forms of sedation and general anesthesia. An OMS is experienced in airway management, endotracheal intubation, establishing and maintaining intravenous lines, and managing complications and emergencies that may arise during the administration of anesthesia.
Your OMS will make sure you know what to expect during and after surgery. Prior to surgery, your OMS will review with you the type of anesthetic to be used as well as the way you’re likely to feel during and after the operation. This is the time to discuss any concerns you may have about any facet of the operation.
During surgery, one or more of the following may be used to control your pain and anxiety:
- Local anesthesia
- Minimal Sedation (Nitrous oxide-oxygen)
- Moderate Sedation
- Deep Sedation
- General anesthesia
Usually, patients describe the feeling they had during surgery as comfortable and surprisingly pleasant.
Benefits of Office-based Anesthesia
The majority of oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures are performed in the office, with accompanying anesthesia administration. This treatment approach is comfortable, convenient and cost-effective.
The OMS team approach to anesthesia administration has a long record of patient safety.
The comfortable, personalized setting of the OMS office minimizes waiting and recovery time, as compared to having the same procedure performed in a hospital outpatient surgery center. In addition, in-office procedures and anesthesia delivery are usually less costly than similar care in a hospital or outpatient surgery center.
