At the Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we focus on your comfort even after the surgery with effective pain management plans.
These plans keep you comfortable, minimizing any impact in your quality of life, sleep, or daily activities. Also, effective pain management can expedite healing and reduce the risk of complications after your procedure.
Pain management in the past has relied heavily on prescription opioid painkillers. While they are effective, they carry risks like addiction and abuse. That’s why we use alternative pain management strategies.
We offer a combination of Exparel and Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) in combination to aid in pain management and expedite your healing time.
Exparel is a long-acting local anesthetic that offers extended pain relief compared to traditional local anesthetics. By providing prolonged numbing effects, Exparel can significantly reduce the need for postoperative opioid medications.
PRF, on the other hand, is a concentrated source of growth factors derived from the patient’s own blood. When applied to the surgical site, PRF promotes healing, reduces inflammation, and may contribute to improved pain control.
Traditional Pain Management
Opioids have long been the mainstay of post-surgical pain management. While they’re highly effective in controlling acute pain, opioids carry significant drawbacks like abuse and addiction.
Additionally, side effects like constipation, nausea, vomiting, and sedation can diminish a patient’s quality of life and hinder recovery.
As concerns about opioid addiction have grown, there has been a shift towards non-opioid alternatives for pain management.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin are widely used due to their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Acetaminophen, another commonly available over-the-counter medication, provides pain relief without the anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDs. While generally safer than opioids, these medications are not without their limitations.
NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal upset, kidney damage, and increased bleeding risk, especially in certain patients. Acetaminophen, while relatively safe in recommended doses, can lead to liver damage if overdosed.
The reliance on traditional pain management methods presents several challenges. The risk of addiction and abuse associated with opioids has become a major public health crisis. Moreover, the potential for severe side effects with both opioids and non-opioids can negatively impact patient recovery and overall well-being. These factors have prompted a search for safer and more effective pain management strategies.
What is Exparel?
Exparel is a long-acting local anesthetic. Unlike traditional local anesthetics that typically last for a few hours, Exparel can provide effective pain relief for up to 72 hours after a single injection.
By offering long-lasting pain control, Exparel reduces the need for opioids for post-surgical pain management. This is particularly beneficial as it mitigates the risks associated with opioid use
Exparel’s extended duration of action provides patients with consistent and effective pain relief, allowing them to recover more comfortably and resume normal activities sooner.
Compared to opioids, Exparel has a more favorable side effect profile. Common side effects are typically mild and localized to the injection site, such as temporary numbness or discomfort
Pain management is half of our healing equation. We can also use PRF to reduce your recovery time and get you back to your normal, day-to-day life.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) for the Healing Process
Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) is a concentrated form of your own blood, rich in platelets, white blood cells, and growth factors. It is prepared by drawing a blood sample and then centrifuging it at a specific speed for a predetermined amount of time. This process separates the blood components, resulting in a fibrin clot containing a high concentration of healing factors.
PRF offers several advantages in oral surgery. By providing a concentrated source of growth factors, it accelerates the healing process and promotes tissue regeneration.
This can lead to faster wound closure, reduced inflammation, and improved bone formation. Additionally, PRF has antimicrobial properties, helping to reduce the risk of infection.
Its natural composition makes it highly biocompatible, minimizing the chances of adverse reactions.
Using PRF begins with collecting a small amount of the patient’s blood before the surgical procedure. The blood is then placed in a specialized centrifuge to separate the components. The resulting PRF can be applied in various ways depending on the specific surgical procedure.
For example, it can be used as a membrane to cover the surgical site, as a graft material to fill bony defects, or mixed with bone graft material to enhance its healing properties.
The precise application technique will be determined by the oral surgeon based on the patient’s individual needs.
Contact Us
We understand that experiencing discomfort after oral surgery is normal, but our goal is to minimize your pain and ensure a smooth recovery.
By combining traditional pain management methods with innovative techniques like Exparel and PRF, we strive to provide you with the most effective and comfortable post-operative care.
If you have any questions or concerns about pain management, or if you experience any unexpected symptoms, please do not hesitate to contact one of New Jersey offices. Your comfort and well-being are our top priorities.