One of our main goals is to provide you with a surgical experience that is as comfortable as it is effective. That’s why we offer several methods of sedation. Our team will work with you to decide on a personalized sedation plan that will give you the care you need while ensuring your comfort and safety every step of the way.
LOCAL ANESTHETIC
The most common type of local anesthetic is lidocaine, which is administered by injection into the surgical area. The use of a local anesthetic alone is recommended only for simple surgical procedures, such as gum treatments and tooth extractions. Local anesthetic will always be used in conjunction with any other methods of sedation you require.
IN-OFFICE IV SEDATION OR GENERAL ANESTHESIA
Patients who receive IV sedation go between consciousness and unconsciousness during their surgical procedure. They often have no recollection of the treatment and are unable to respond to commands even if they are awake at times during the process. It is recommended that patients who receive deep sedation have a parent, spouse, or friend accompany them to appointments because it can take several hours for the sedative to wear off. Thus, driving may be unsafe.
Dr. Pete is licensed by the state to administer general anesthesia, so you can receive the care you need in the comfort of our office. We provide general anesthesia for patients who need all types of oral surgery. Because of the anxiety related to dental procedures, you may choose general anesthesia for procedures as simple as wisdom tooth removal and implant placement, or as complex as full-mouth reconstruction.
Do not eat or drink eight hours prior to your surgical appointment, with the exception of daily medications taken with a small amount of water.
Because general anesthesia causes drowsiness for several hours after it is administered, you will be required to have a family member or friend drive you to and from your appointment. After your treatment, you should not drive, drink alcohol, or operate machinery.
PATIENT ESCORTS / DRIVERS
PLEASE NOTE: We cannot release you to an Uber, Lyft, or taxi service, or have you walk home when sedation has been administered.
Please make sure your escort is prepared to remain at our office for the duration of the following procedures:
- The patient is receiving general anesthesia or sedation
- The patient is under the age of 18 (must be a parent or legal guardian)
- If there is a legal POA
As an escort, you should anticipate:
- Checking in at the front desk with the patient
- Remaining at the office for the duration of the appointment
- Providing court documentation if you are a POA or Legal Guardian
- Reviewing post-operative instructions
- Driving the patient home
- Assisting them for the remainder of the day
Notice for patients taking Medications for Weight Loss & Type II Diabetes (GLP-1 AGONISTS)
MEDICATION ADJUSTMENTS FOR SURGERY:
Since GLP-1 medication can delay the time it takes for food to empty from your stomach (gastric emptying), this increases the risk of stomach contents being regurgitated and then aspirated into the airway or lungs of a patient under general or deep sedation. The prevention of regurgitation and aspiration is why all patients are instructed to fast before any procedure that requires anesthesia or sedation. Aspiration of stomach content into the lungs is dangerous and life-threatening.
For GLP-1 agonist INJECTION medications taken weekly, we request patients stop the medication at least TWO WEEKS before surgery.
For GLP-1 agonist ORAL medications taken daily, we request patients stop the medication at least ONE WEEK prior to surgery.
Stopping these medications will decrease the risk of regurgitation of stomach contents and aspiration into patient’s airway or lungs. NPO status will remain the same - eight hours. Waiting longer than eight hours does not decrease the chances of aspiration.
