Procedures

• Dental Implants
• Bone Grafting
  • Overview
  • Jawbone Health
  • Jawbone Loss and Deterioration
  • About Bone Grafting
  • Ridge Augmentation
  • Socket Preservation
• Wisdom Teeth
• Facial Trauma
• Oral Pathology
• Impacted Canines
• Cone Beam C/T
• Pediatric Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Geratric Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Intravenous (IV) Anesthesia
• Outpatient General Anesthesia

Intravenous (IV) Anesthesia

Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons are unique among the surgical specialties with regards to anesthesia training.  Every oral and maxillofacial surgeon during their residency receives formal anesthesia training with the department of anesthesia in the hospital.  They are trained to safely administer anesthesia to patients.  This includes IV sedation, general anesthesia, and intubation techniques, as well as complete training in advanced cardiac life support. Most states have very strict guidelines regarding the administration of anesthesia to ensure patient safety.  Dr. Crinzi, as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon follows the guidelines set forth by our state regulatory body.  By doing so, he maintains a state license that is renewed every year, and all office staff is certified in CPR.

Many patients can have their procedures completed using a local anesthetic to numb the area.  For those people wishing to be sedated so they aren't aware of the surgery, IV Anesthesia is offered.  Ambulatory anesthesia is the administration of medications in the office that induce either general anesthesia where the patient is totally asleep or sedation where the patient is in semiconscious state.  Additionally, Nitrous Oxide may be used as a sedative agent either singly or as part of a balanced anesthesia technique.

During the consultation appointment, Dr. Crinzi will discuss your medical history and level of anxiety.  Some procedures require the use of general anesthesia or IV Anesthesia, whereas others are best accomplished under local anesthesia.  The choice of anesthesia is always a personal decision and should be made only after an informative consultation with Dr. Crinzi. If a patient requires a premedication due to medical history, that will be discussed and arranged prior to surgery.

The benefits of anesthesia include a decrease in anxiety and awareness during the surgery.  This translates into a near or total amnesia of the procedure, lack of noise perception and no pain.  It is important to note that patients who are given only local anesthetic to numb the area will only feel occasional pressure.

Safe anesthesia demands the use of several non-invasive monitors.  These devices are typically blood pressure machine, an EKG (electrocardiogram), and a pulse oximeter (a devise that measures the amount of oxygen in your blood). Therefore is it suggested that you wear a short sleeve shirt to facilitate the application of these important devices.

It is absolutely necessary for you to have an empty stomach for 6 hours prior to any intravenous anesthesia (this includes liquids and water). If you require a premedication due to medical history, that will be discussed and arranged prior to surgery. You will need a driver to preferably stay during your surgery, take you home, and stay with you.  The medications used for sedation can take up to 24 hours to filter through your system.

Dr. Crinzi typically uses modern short-acting medications designed to give you a safe office anesthesia, minimizing recovery time and side effects. Usually patients can walk out of the office within 30 minutes of the completion of the procedure.

We try to stay on schedule to minimize your wait.  Because we provide surgical services, various circumstances may alter the time allocated for a procedure. Emergencies also arise and cause delay.  We appreciate your patience and understanding.