At Balaci Oral and Facial Surgery, we want to provide you with the most comfortable and relaxed surgical experience possible. It is not uncommon for some patients to feel nervous or anxious about their upcoming treatment. That is why Dr. Balaci offers multiple options for sedation/anesthesia and will help you determine which option is best for you prior to your procedure. The anesthesia/sedation method used for your surgery is dependent on the type of procedure being performed as well as your personal preference.
What types of anesthesia does Dr. Balaci offer?
- Local Anesthesia: A local anesthetic is administered in the area that the surgery is performed and can be used in conjunction with other anesthetic options, such as nitrous oxide.
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation: Nitrous oxide sedation, also known as laughing gas, is commonly utilized when patients experience mild to severe anxiety before the procedure. A mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen is administered through a nasal breathing apparatus.
- Intravenous (IV) Sedation: IV sedation is administered through an intravenous line and allows the patient to fall completely asleep throughout the procedure. This option allows for varying degrees of anesthetic depth tailored to the needs of the patient. IV anesthesia is commonly used to facilitate surgical procedures, such as wisdom teeth removal, dental implant placement, bone grafting, and many other semi-invasive surgical procedures. This anesthetic option can also be utilized when patients experience a high level of anxiety.
- Hospital or Surgery Center-Based General Anesthesia: If you undergo an extensive procedure, such as facial trauma surgery or jaw reconstruction, you may undergo general anesthesia in a hospital or surgery center, which is administered by an anesthesiologist.
Exparel® for Extended Pain Control
For many years, medical providers have been concerned about the growing opioid crisis in our country. Despite the risks they carry, opioids, also called narcotics, are the most commonly prescribed pain medications post-surgery. One out of 15 surgical patients continue long-term opioid use after receiving prescriptions from their doctors. Until recently, there have not been any effective options for pain-management that are not opioid-based. Exparel is a clinically proven, safe medication for extended post-operative pain relief that does not carry the risk of dependence or other negative side effects associated with prescribed opioid medications. Exparel is administered in a single dose by your oral surgeon, directly to your surgical site during surgery, and it has been shown to control pain for several days into recovery, sometimes reducing or even eliminating the need for post-surgical prescription medications!
As part of our dedication to providing the very best, safest care possible, the team at Balaci Oral and Facial Surgery is proud to offer Exparel to its surgical patients. The safety of this medication along with its long-lasting success for managing pain, has brought this medication to the forefront of oral surgery — Exparel is quickly becoming the preferred post-operative pain control choice by oral surgeons as well as their patients.
What’s so risky about opioid prescription medications?
A few of the commonly prescribed narcotics you may be familiar with include codeine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and hydrocodone (Vicodin® and Norco® ). These pain-control medications have the same active ingredient as the drug heroin and can be extremely dangerous if not taken exactly as prescribed. Not only are they addictive, but they have many negative side effects. The side effects of narcotics include
- Constipation
- Extreme Drowsiness
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Long-lasting withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and anxiety
Additionally, opioids can be very unsafe if taken with alcohol or with certain antidepressant medications, antibiotics, or sleeping pills. Here is a startling fact: more than 115 Americans die each day from opioid overdoses.
How does Exparel work?
When Exparel is a part of your surgical treatment plan, Dr. Balaci will simply administer a single dose of Exparel to your surgical site while you are still in surgery. This dose will immediately take effect, utilizing a narcotic-free anesthetic called bupivacaine that is slowly released into your area of surgery providing strong pain relief. It has been shown that this single dose can last several days into your recovery. Some of the benefits of Exparel include the following:
- One dose for extended pain management. Clinical trials show that Exparel provides effective extended pain relief in just one dose.
- Safe, non-addictive, and non-narcotic. Exparel is a proven pain-control medication that does not have the risks associated with opioid-based prescriptions.
- No prescriptions to fill. In many cases, prescription pain medications can be postponed or even eliminated because Exparel extends its pain-relieving effect for several days after surgery.
Our oral surgeon, Dr. Balaci, is concerned about his patient’s overall health and well-being, before, during, and after their oral surgery. By adding Exparel to your treatment plan as a safe and effective alternative to narcotics, you can achieve lasting pain control while safeguarding yourself from the risks and side-effects of opioid medications.
Exparel in Lebanon, PA
When you come to Balaci Oral and Facial Surgery to meet with Dr. Balaci for your consultation, he will work with youto create a plan for your oral surgery treatment. During this appointment, the two of you can discuss adding Exparel to your plan. Please contact our office with any questions you have or to schedule your consultation with the doctor. Dr. Balaci and our team are very happy to guide you along your path to restored oral health. We look forward to caring for you soon!
Is my oral surgeon qualified to administer anesthesia during my procedure?
Unlike many practitioners, oral and maxillofacial surgeons have obtained first-hand experience administering operating room anesthesia during their required hospital residency, as well as their training in office surgical facilities. All oral and maxillofacial surgeons are required to complete extensive hands-on surgical training to obtain their credentials and must earn the highest level of licensure possible for dental practitioners, making them the most qualified candidates to perform anesthesia in an office setting.
