Administration of Anesthesia

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) are trained in all aspects of anesthesia administration. Following dental school, an OMS completes four to seven years of training in a hospital-based surgical residency program alongside medical residents in general surgery, anesthesia and other specialties. During this time, OMS residents must serve in the medical anesthesiology service, during which they learn to evaluate patients for anesthesia, deliver the anesthetic and monitor post-anesthetic patients. They continue anesthesia training throughout the entire four years of surgical residency.

​The ability to provide patients with safe, effective outpatient anesthesia has distinguished the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery since its earliest days. Whether your procedure requires local or intravenous anesthesia, today’s technology makes it possible to perform complex surgery in the OMS office with little or no discomfort.

​With extensive training and experience in the control of pain and anxiety, as a result of their extensive training, every OMS is well-prepared to identify, diagnose and assess the source of pain and anxiety within the scope of their discipline, and to appropriately administer local anesthesia, all forms of sedation and general anesthesia. An OMS is experienced in airway management, endotracheal intubation, establishing and maintaining intravenous lines, and managing complications and emergencies that may arise during the administration of anesthesia. Dr. Casey will make sure you know what to expect during and after surgery.

​Prior to surgery, Dr. Casey will review with you the type of anesthetic to be used, as well as the way you’re likely to feel during and after the operation. This is the time to discuss any concerns you may have about any facet of the operation.
During surgery, one or more of the following may be used to control your pain and anxiety:
• Local anesthesia
• Nitrous oxide-oxygen
• Intravenous sedation
​• General anesthesia

Usually, patients describe the feeling they had during surgery as comfortable and surprisingly pleasant.After surgery, you may be prescribed a medication to make you as comfortable as possible when you get home.

Benefits of office-based Anesthesia

The majority of oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures are performed in the office, with accompanying anesthesia administration. This treatment approach is convenient and cost-effective.The comfortable, personalized setting of the OMS office minimizes waiting and recovery time, as compared to having the same procedure performed in a hospital outpatient surgery center. In addition, in-office procedures and anesthesia delivery are usually less costly than similar care in a hospital or outpatient surgery center.

​Dr. Casey’s facility is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations which is an extra step that Dr. Casey and his team have taken to maximize the safety of your procedure.