Local anesthesia is used for all of our oral surgery procedures. It is an injectable anesthetic that is directed to a localized area for a short time. Local anesthesia doesn't affect the brain or nervous system, so it's safe to drive home afterwards. To administer general anesthesia in the office, the oral surgeon must have completed at least three months of anesthesia training in a hospital.
Qualified applicants will then undergo an in-office evaluation by an examiner appointed by the state dental board. The examiner observes an actual surgical procedure during which general anesthesia is administered to the patient. The examiner also inspects all monitoring devices and emergency equipment and evaluates the doctor and surgical staff for anesthesia-related emergencies. If the examiner reports that the evaluation process was successfully completed, the state dental board will issue the doctor a license to perform general anesthesia. The license is renewable every two years if the doctor maintains the required number of continuing education units related to anesthesia. Oral surgery is sometimes done in a dental office as an outpatient procedure.
The surgeon can offer you sedation options for your comfort, such as nitrous oxide, oral medications, or moderate or deep intravenous (IV) sedation. In other cases, oral surgery may be performed in a hospital with general anesthesia. Most dentists prefer to keep their natural teeth whenever possible, but extractions are sometimes necessary to preserve overall oral health. The overall goal of oral surgery is to address any problem that interferes with your health or quality of life.
An oral surgeon has the experience needed to repair the muscles and bones around the oral cavity and facial structure. They will also take dental x-rays and scans to get a clear view of the tooth roots, jaw, nerves, and other important oral reference points. For example, if you've been involved in an accident and need oral surgery in a hospital, your health insurance will likely cover it. An oral surgeon has the skill and training to anticipate, avoid, and correct the complications of surgery to ensure a successful recovery. Black offers a full range of oral, dental and maxillofacial surgery treatments in New York, NY.
Both oral surgeons and periodontists must undergo three or four years of additional training after graduating from dental school. However, in the case of an impacted wisdom tooth, dentists usually refer the patient to an oral surgeon. If you have any questions about the type of anesthesia that will be administered during your oral surgery procedure, do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your doctor at the time of your consultation. Oral surgery often requires intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the length of the surgery.
Oral surgery can restore health to your teeth, gums, and jaw joints, relieve painful symptoms, and improve your quality of life. Dentists generally refer patients to a specialist, such as an oral surgeon, to treat more complex problems. If you've recently had oral surgery and feel pain that won't go away with medications, a fever of 100.4°F or higher, or oozing at the site of surgery, call your surgeon right away.
