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Albuquerque Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Anesthesia

You will have the option of choosing one or more of the following methods to control your pain and anxiety:

Local anesthesia that numbs the surgical area, intravenous sedation for a more profound relaxation, and general anesthesia for a sleep-like state during the procedure. Dr. Traub is licensed in New Mexico to administer General Anesthesia and IV Sedation. All procedures are performed with the highest standard of care in monitoring and anesthetic care. Dr. Traub will explain all options to you and assist you in making the most appropriate anesthetic decision.

Anesthesia in albuquerque

About Anesthesia

Anesthesia as an outpatient in our office can vary from Local Anesthesia to General Anesthesia.
● Local Anesthesia (Numbing).● Intravenous Sedation (Anesthesia).● General Anesthesia.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are unique among the surgical specialties with regard to anesthesia training. During their residency, every oral and maxillofacial surgeon receives formal anesthesia training from the Department of Anesthesia in the hospital. This includes IV sedation, airway management and intubation techniques. This also includes complete training in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Most states have very strict guidelines regarding the administration of anesthesia in the office to ensure patient safety. Dr. Traub follows the guidelines and protocols set forth by our state medical and dental regulatory body, and our office is regularly inspected.

Dr. Traub has advanced training in all aspects of anesthesia and emergency care. This commitment has provided our patients with the highest standards of care and availability of the latest techniques and drugs. It is our utmost goal to make your surgical experience as pleasant and stress free as possible while maintaining the highest levels of safety.

  • Local Anesthesia

    Some patients can have their procedures completed using a local anesthetic to “numb” the area. This technique is mainly used for routine extractions or minor biopsies. It is rarely adequate for surgical extractions or the removal of impacted teeth. For those people wishing to be sedated so that they are unaware of the surgery, IV sedation is offered.

  • Conscious Sedation (IV)

    During the initial consultation, you and Dr. Traub will discuss the type of procedure involved, your medical history and your level of anxiety. Some procedures, due to their nature, require the use of IV sedation, 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. Traub. In addition, during the initial consultation, you will be given instructions to prepare for surgery, such as wearing loose, warm, and comfortable clothing and not having anything to eat or drink after midnight. Withhold all your regular medications unless otherwise instructed.

    Although most of the more modern anesthetic medications are kind to the stomach and do not produce nausea, occasionally, just the anxiety that one has about having surgery can generate a queasy feeling in one’s stomach. A patient who becomes sick with a full stomach could present a potentially dangerous scenario of choking. Therefore, it is important to follow all preoperative instructions. The medications used for sedation do persist in the bloodstream for up to 24 hours. Therefore, it is understood that you WILL NOT operate a vehicle or operate machinery for 24 hours after being sedated.

    Dr. Traub is also available to answer any specific questions you may have regarding the anesthetic. The benefits of intravenous sedation include a decrease in anxiety and awareness during the surgery. This translates into near or total amnesia of the procedure, lack of noise perception and no pain. During the procedure, it is important to note that patients are still given local anesthetic to “numb” the area, as partially sedated patients may feel occasional pressure.

    Coming to our office for the day of surgery is no different than having surgery in your own hospital, and it is often much more user-friendly. The equipment in our surgical suites and recovery room are the same as those used in the hospitals. When you arrive in the surgical suite, the nurse or dental assistant will connect you to a number of monitors. Safe anesthesia demands the use of several non-invasive monitors that we attach to you. These devices are typically a blood pressure cuff, an EKG (electrocardiogram) and a pulse oximeter (a device that measures the amount of oxygen in your blood). Therefore, it is suggested that you wear loose clothing to facilitate the application of these important devices. Routinely, drugs will be injected into the IV to cause you to relax or sleep. Once you are able to sit up, the IV will be removed, and you will be almost ready to leave. At this time, the recovery room staff will review all of the postoperative instructions with you and your rider.

  • General Anesthesia

    There are many instances in oral & maxillofacial surgery that require general anesthesia. The more common examples include:
    ● Pediatric procedures.● Medically compromised patients.● Patients with severe dental phobia.● Mentally & physically challenged patients.

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