Is having anesthesia in a dental office safe? 

Yes. In otherwise healthy individuals, anesthesia risk for outpatient surgery is very low. With that being said, any time anesthesia is administered there are risks involved. Risks increase in people with complex medical histories who have multiple co-morbid conditions. For this reason, office-based anesthesia is not for everyone, and Pusch Ridge Anesthesia has exclusion criteria for certain medical conditions.

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What are some of the risks of anesthesia?

Some of the more common risks of anesthesia that are minor and temporary can include things like nausea, vomiting, sore throat if intubated, forgetfulness, and confusion. These normally last for one to two days and improve on their own. There are rarely more serious complications and can include things like allergic reactions, cognitive dysfunction, heart attack, stroke, and delirium. These are uncommon but can occur more often in the elderly or those with significant past medical history. For this reason, your anesthesia provider will contact you prior to your procedure to ensure it is safe for you to have office-based anesthesia.

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Will my anesthesia provider be with me throughout the procedure?

Yes, your nurse anesthesiologist will be by your side making sure you are safe and comfortable from the time you enter the procedure room until you are ready for discharge. You will be continuously monitored throughout your procedure. Your nurse anesthesiologist has extensive training and experience providing anesthesia, and has all the necessary equipment and medications needed to handle any situation.

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What type of anesthesia is used?

Pusch Ridge Anesthesia does a total intravenous anesthetic (TIVA) using a combination of medications with the main anesthetic being propofol. In contrast to anesthetic gas often used for general anesthesia, propofol typically prevents nausea and vomiting and very few people awake with delirium. Propofol can build up in the system with longer procedures resulting in longer wake up times. Every anesthetic we administer is opioid free. We use non-opioid medication to treat the mild pain associated with these procedures.

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How long will I be drowsy after my procedure?

This depends on multiple factors including how long your procedure is, your age, and your health condition. Everyone responds to anesthesia differently. Typically, if your procedure is longer than a few hours you can expect to be drowsy for the remainder of the the day. For shorter procedures, you may feel back to normal later that evening. No matter the length of your procedure, your age, or health condition you should not drive, consume alcohol, or make any big decisions for 24 hours.

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Why can I not eat for 8 hours before receiving anesthesia?

One risk of anesthesia is aspiration. Aspiration is when food goes from your stomach into your lungs either from vomiting or due to reflux. Aspiration can lead to pneumonia. Not eating for 8 hours prior to your procedure will allow all the food to pass from your stomach and lowers the risk of aspiration.

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Should I take my medication the morning of the procedure?

This depends on what medications you are taking. Your nurse anesthesiologist will call you the week of your procedure to review your medication list and let you know what to take and what to hold. Some medications like the weight loss medication Phentermine should be stopped 14 days prior to anesthesia.

 

What if I might be pregnant?

You should not receive anesthesia for an elective procedure if you believe you are pregnant. Some anesthetic medications we regularly use are known to cause birth defects. If you are a woman of childbearing age, you should obtain a negative pregnancy test prior to receiving anesthesia.

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How is anesthesia cost determined, do you bill insurance?

Anesthesia is a time based service, and therefore the total anesthesia fee will be calculated at the conclusion of the procedure. An estimate will be provided, but the final fee will most likely not exactly equal the estimate. Anesthesia fees are due at the conclusion of your procedure. Pusch Ridge Anesthesia does not bill insurance. Anesthesia for dental procedures is typically not covered. If your insurance does cover it, we are happy to provide the necessary paperwork for you to submit for reimbursement.

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What payment method do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, certified checks, and cash. We do not accept personal checks or care credit. Checks can be made out to Pusch Ridge Anesthesia PLLC.

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If I have anesthesia related questions before or after my procedure who do I contact?

We are happy to answer any questions before or after your procedure. Please email, call, or text info@puschridgeanesthesia.com or 602-726-1613 and we will get back to you as soon as possible.