Please initial each paragraph after reading. If you have any questions, please ask your doctor BEFORE initialing. You have the right to be informed about your diagnosis and planned surgery so that you can decide whether to have a procedure or not after knowing the risks and benefits. Whether a procedure is easy or difficult, it is still a surgical procedure. All surgeries have some risks. They include the following and others:
Swelling, bruising and pain.
Possible infection that might need more treatment.
Changes in the bite or difficulty in opening the mouth because of stress on the jaw joint (TMJ) may happen.
Possible damage to other teeth close to the ones being taken out, (more often those with large fillings or caps), or other tissues of the face or mouth might be harmed.
It is very rare that the bones of the jaw will break, but it is possible in cases where the teeth are buried very deep in their sockets.
Healing could take longer
The place where the tooth was taken out could be very painful (dry socket).
I might have a reaction to a medicine.
Sharp ridges or bone splinters may form later at or near where the tooth was taken out. These may need another surgery to smooth or remove.
The hole where the tooth had been might need more care, or small pieces of the tooth root might be left there to prevent damage to very important things like nerves or a sinus (a hollow place above your upper back teeth).
Upper back teeth are often close to the sinus and sometimes the tooth or a piece of root can get into the sinus and need more treatment. An opening may occur from the sinus into the mouth that may need more treatment.
The roots of the lower teeth might be very close to the sensory nerve and after the surgery; there might be pain or a numb feeling in the chin, lip, cheek, gums, teeth or tongue. It is possible that you might lose your sense of taste. This might last for weeks or months and can be permanent.
I have told my doctor that I use birth control pills. I have been told that the birth control pills might not work if I take them with some other medicines (like antibiotics) and I could become pregnant. I agree to talk to my own doctor to start some other type of birth control while I am being treated and continue to use the other birth control until that doctor says I can stop it.
Anesthesia: LOCAL ANESTHESIA: (Novocaine, Lidocaine, etc.) A shot is given to block pain in the area to be worked on. NITROUS OXIDE WITH LCOAL ANESTHESIA: Nitrous Oxide (or Laughing Gas) helps to lessen uncomfortable sensations and offers some relaxation. ORAL PREMEDICATION WITH LCOAL ANESTHESIA: A pill is taken for relaxation prior to giving local anesthesia. INTRAVENOUS SEDATION WITH LOCAL ANESTHESIA: makes you less aware of the procedure by making you calmer, sleepy, and less able to remember the procedure. INTRAVENOUS GENERAL ANESTHESIA WITH LOCAL ANESTHESIA: You will be completely asleep for the procedure. Whichever technique you choose, giving any medication involves certain risks. These include: 1. Nausea and vomiting 2. An allergic or unexpected reaction. If an allergic reaction is severe, it might cause more serious breathing or heart problems which may need treatment. In addition, there may be: 1. Pain, swelling, or infection of the vein area where the anesthesia or sedation was given. 2. Injury to nerves or blood vessels in the vein area. 3. Confusion, or a long period of sleepiness after surgery. 4. Heart or breathing responses which may lead to heart attack, stroke or death. Fortunately, these complications and side effects are not common. All forms of Anesthesia are generally very safe, comfortable, and easy to deal with. If you have any questions, PLEASE ASK.
The anesthetic I have chosen for my surgery is:
Local Anesthesia
Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Analgesia with Local Anesthesia
Oral Premedication with Local Anesthesia
Intravenous Sedation with Local Anesthesia
General Anesthesia with Local Anesthesia
ANESTHETIC RISKS include pain, swelling, bruising, infection, prolonged numbness and allergic reactions. There may be swelling (phlebitis) at the site where the needle goes into the arm that might cause discomfort for a long time and/or disability and might need special care. You might have nausea and vomiting from the IV Sedation or General Anesthesia, but this doesn’t happen often. Intravenous Sedation and/or General Anesthesia are serious medical procedure and although considered safe, do carry the rare risks of heart irregularities, heart attack, stroke, brain damage or even death.
YOUR OBLIGATION FOR IV SEDATION OR GENERAL ANESTHESIA IS: A. Because anesthetic medications cause prolonged drowsiness, you MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you until you are sufficiently recovered to care for yourself. This may be up to 24 hours. B. During recovery time you should not drive, operate complicated machinery or devices or make important decisions. C. You must have a completely empty stomach. IT IS VITAL THAT YOU HAVE NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK FOR SIX (6) HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR ANESTHETIC. TO DO OTHERWISE MAY BE LIFE-THREATENING! D. However , it is important to take any regular medications (high blood pressure, antibiotics, etc.) or any medications directed by us, with only a small sip of water.
CONSENT I understand that my doctor cannot promise that everything will be perfect. I certify that I speak, read and write English, that I fully understand this consent form for surgery and that all blanks were filled in prior to me initialing and signing this form. All my questions have been answered to my satisfaction and I am willing to undergo the proposed surgery.
Controlled Substance Informed Consent Dr. Galea has reviewed your past medical history and your use of narcotics in the past. Narcotics are addicting, and you should take as few as possible. You should take as directed, DO NOT increase the dosage. You should not drive or operate equipment while taking narcotics. You should not take the narcotic pain medication if you are pregnant. You should store the prescription in a proper place and keep away from children. If the patient is a minor, the guardian should monitor the usage, and distribute the drug to the minor.
Patient’s (or Legal Guardian’s) Signature