ANESTHETICS

There are many different anesthetic options available to you. Some choices you will have and in other cases Dr. Bohannan may require a particular anesthetic option. Most procedures can be performed with local anesthesia. However, some procedures are not comfortable to perform with local anesthesia alone. Dr. Bohannan will discuss all of your anesthesia options with you. Often times, patients do not seek the care they need or desire because of their anxieties and fears.  Dr. Bohannan can provide the necessary techniques to allow patients to overcome their fears and provide them with a comfortable and pleasant experience.  Dr. Bohannan will take your anesthetic desires into consideration with his anesthetic requirements and create an anesthetic plan that will satisy you and him.   

LOCAL ANESTHETIC

Local anesthetics are very similar to what you receive at your dentist's office.  An injection is given and the area become numb.  You shouldn't feel pain, but you will experience pressure, pushing sensations, and you'll hear noise. 

NITROUS OXIDE

Nitrous oxide is an inhaled gas that makes you feel somewhat relaxed and raises your pain threshold.  Termed "laughing gas", it can make the patient have a euphoric sensation that often makes them laugh.  Normally this drug has a greater effect on children, but has its place as a mild sedative for patients.

ORAL SEDATION

 Oral sedation is recommended in patients where local anesthetics may deliver the proper amount of comfort during the procedure, but doesn't control or reduce the patient's anxiety.  Oral sedation is given to those patients who are apprehensive about the procedure and desire some level of anxiolysis (anxiety reduction).  Patients may be given a prescription for some oral medication(s).  They take the medicine usually the night before to help them to get a good night's rest prior to their procedure.  Additionally, patients usually take the medication as prescribed about an hour to 90 minutes prior to their procedure.  They will need a responsible adult to drive them to and from their appointment. 

INTRAVENOUS CONSCIOUS SEDATION

For patients requiring a greater level of sedation, intravenous conscious sedation may be just the right choice.  Although this procedure requires a small intravenous catheter (IV), it allows Dr. Bohannan to titrate intravenous medications to a desired level of sedation.  Unlike oral medications, which can either provide a little too much or too little sedation, intravenous sedation allows Dr. Bohannan to titrate the level of sedation to the patient's and the procedure's needs.  In this technique, you are very relaxed and will often drift into a pleasant and light sleep.  However, if prompted, you will respond to suggestions or commands.  For instance, Dr. Bohannan may ask you to open your mouth, although relaxed and somewhat sleepy, you will be able to respond appropriately.  During more stimulating portions of the procedure, you will receive enough medication to adequate sedate you and during the less stimulating portions of the procedure you will receive less medications.  During the procedure, you are fully monitored to provide an adequate level of sedation as well a providing a safe anesthetic.  After a brief recovery period in the office, many people go home after the procedure and take a small nap and feel refreshed upon awakening.  They is usually not in any discomfort for a few hours following a procedure as local anesthetic is used once you are sedated. Patients often will have no recollection of the procedure. 

GENERAL ANESTHESIA

For some cases and for some patients, general anesthesia is used.  This is typically done in the same fashion as the conscious sedation technique except different medications are used to allow the patient to sleep.  In this technique, you will not be able to respond to commands.  However, during less stimulating portions of the case, you will be in a conscious sedation state as you don't need a deeper level sedation.  Since all the drugs used have a short duration of action, the anesthesia can be tailored to fit your needs as well as the needs of the procedure to provide good comfort for the patient.  Moreover, many of the medications delivered during the procedure, have reversal agents that can be administered to reverse the action of the sedation medications if needed.  During the procedure, as in conscious sedation, you are fully monitored and given supplimental oxygen.  You will be allowed to go home after a brief recovery period. 

HOSPITAL SURGERY

In some rare cases, your surgery may need to be performed in a outpatient surgery facility or in the hospital.  In most cases, you'll go home after a brief recovery period.  In some cases, you'll have a short stay in the hospital following the procedure(s).  Occasionally, because of your medical conditions, procedures that could normally be performed in the office will have to be done in the hospital.  This is done for your safety.  Dr. Bohannan has full priviledges to perform your surgery in the hospital or surgical outpatient facility. 

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