Local Anesthesia
Traditionally known as “Novocaine” a local anesthetic is a medication that is injected into the mouth to “numb” the area. This technique is mainly used for routine tooth extractions, uncomplicated implant procedures or minor biopsies.
IV Sedation/General Anesthesia
For our patients who are anxious about their surgery or for procedures that are more lengthy or complex, intravenous sedation or general anesthesia may be used. With intravenous sedation and general anesthesia anxiety apprehension are controlled and surgery can be performed comfortably, pain free and without recollection of the procedure. During the procedure you will still be given a local anesthetic to “numb” the area so that you wake up comfortably. When administering IV sedation or general anesthesia, Dr. Karras will give you anesthetic medications as necessary to achieve an appropriate level of comfort and anxiety control. You may be completely asleep or only sedated. This is managed on an individual basis.
If you will be put to sleep (general anesthesia or sedation) for your surgery, please observe the following:
- Do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours prior to surgery.
- Take medications as advised at least one hour before your appointment with only a sip of water.
- You must be accompanied to the office by a responsible adult driver.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing with short sleeves.
Having surgery in our office is not unlike having surgery in the hospital. The monitoring equipment that we use is the same. When you arrive in the surgical suite, the assistants will place several monitoring devices that typically include a blood pressure cuff, an EKG (electrocardiogram), a pulse oximeter (a device that measures the amount of oxygen in your blood) and a pretracheal stethoscope that is placed at the base of your neck so that we can listen to your breathing.
Because of the contemporary techniques that we use, you will wake up shortly after your surgery is completed. Once you are alert and able to sit up, the IV will be removed and the person who escorted you to the office will be brought into the room. The assistants will review all the postoperative instructions with you and your escort and you will be on your way.
