If you’re preparing for oral surgery, you may have heard about EXPAREL®, a non-opioid anesthetic that reduces the need for narcotic pain medication for patients. Over the course of 72 hours, EXPAREL slowly releases Bupivacaine (a local numbing agent) into the surgical site to provide significant relief when postsurgical pain is at its worst. And, since it’s administered while a patient is under sedation, they will wake up from the procedure with their pain at a manageable level, a benefit anyone undergoing oral surgery can get excited about!
Fast Facts About EXPAREL
You might be considering EXPAREL for an oral procedure. If so, here are some facts to ensure you are educated about this medication:
- Since it is not an opioid or narcotic, it only addresses pain in the area where the surgery occurred. It will not affect your whole body.
- In rare instances, you may still require narcotic pain medication as you recover from oral surgery, but it will be at a reduced rate than if you did not have EXPAREL.
- EXPAREL is a great choice for wisdom teeth removal, as this ensures younger patients will not require opioids after oral surgery.
- EXPAREL is intended for single use only, which means you won’t receive any follow-up dosages after the initial one. If you have unmanageable pain in the days following the procedure, you may need a narcotic pain reliever.
- Since EXPAREL is administered during surgery, it’s important to discuss this option beforehand when talking through pain management options with your surgeon.
Oral Surgery at Tampa Surgical Arts
Dr. Manik S. Bedi at Tampa Surgical Arts uses EXPAREL in his oral surgery procedures, and he would be glad to discuss this medication with you. Dr. Bedi is a renowned oral surgeon with three board certifications (including certification with the American Board of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery), so you can trust him to not only offer an outstanding pain management option, but also use highly skilled techniques during the procedure.
Dr. Bedi is uniquely qualified to offer a truly opioid-free experience for his patients, including opioid-free sedation. He is one of the few dental specialists in the area who can safely administer other medications during sedation (e.g. ketamine, propofol) and avoid highly addictive medications, such as fentanyl.
Contact Tampa Surgical Arts today to learn more about EXPAREL and how it can benefit you during oral surgery. We serve clients throughout the Tampa Bay area.
