Board Certified Anesthesiologist in Upland & Rancho Cucamonga
Board-certified medical and dental anesthesiologists are on staff for your safety and comfort. Our anesthesiologists work closely with Dr. Gilbert and the surgical team to provide you with the ultimate patient experience.
Several methods of anesthesia are available. The anesthesia method chosen for or by a patient depends upon the surgical procedure and the patient’s level of apprehension. The following table illustrates the choices of anesthesia, a description of the anesthetic technique, and the usual indications for that technique.
| Method of Anesthesia | Description of Technique | Usual Indications |
|---|---|---|
| Local Anesthetic | The patient remains conscious throughout the procedure. A local anesthetic (e.g. lidocaine) is administered in the area where the surgery is to be performed. Local anesthetic is used in conjunction with the other methods of anesthesia in all oral surgery procedures. | Simple oral surgery procedures such as minor soft tissue procedures and simple tooth extractions. |
| Nitrous Oxide Sedation with Local Anesthetic | A mixture of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oxygen is administered through a nasal breathing apparatus. The patient remains conscious and relaxed. Nitrous oxide has a sedative and analgesic (pain-controlling) effect. | Simple oral surgery procedures to more involved procedures, such as removing wisdom teeth and placing dental implants. |
| Office and Surgery Center-Based General Anesthesia with Local Anesthetic* | Medications are administered through an intravenous line (I.V.) or by inhalation of anesthetic gases. The patient falls asleep and is completely unaware of the procedure being performed. Medications most commonly used in I.V. form are Fentanyl (opiate), Versed (benzodiazepine), Ketamine, and Diprivan. Supplemental oxygen is delivered through a nasal breathing apparatus or endotracheal tube. The patient’s vital signs are closely monitored. | General anesthesia is available for all types of oral and maxillo-facial surgery. A patient may choose general anesthesia for simple procedures depending on their level of anxiety. Most people having their wisdom teeth removed or having a dental implant placed will choose general anesthesia. General anesthesia may be necessary if local anesthesia fails to anesthetize the surgical site, which often occurs in the presence of infection. |
| Hospital Based General Anesthesia | A patient is admitted to a hospital where anesthesia is administered by the hospital staff anesthesiologist. | Indicated for patients undergoing extensive procedures such as face or jaw reconstruction and TMJ surgery. General anesthesia frequently requires in-hospital convalescence. Also indicated for patients with medical conditions such as heart disease or lung disease who require general anesthesia. |
To administer general anesthesia in the office, an oral and maxillo-facial surgeon must have completed at least 4 months of hospital-based anesthesia training in addition to 2 years of ambulatory anesthesia training. Qualified applicants will then undergo an in-office evaluation by a state dental board-appointed examiner. The examiner observes an actual surgical procedure during which general anesthesia is administered to the patient. The examiner also inspects all monitoring devices and emergency equipment and tests the doctor and the surgical staff on anesthesia-related emergencies. If the examiner reports successful completion of the evaluation process, the state dental board will issue the doctor a license to perform general anesthesia. The license is renewable every two years if the doctor maintains the required amount of continuing education units related to anesthesia.
Dr. Gilbert is a general anesthesia examiner for the Dental Board of California.
Again, when it comes to anesthesia, our first priority is the patient’s comfort and safety. If you have any concerns regarding the type of anesthesia that will be administered during your oral surgery procedure, please do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your doctor at the time of your consultation.