Longer-Lasting Numbing Medicine for Oral Surgery Recovery
At Schiffman Oral Surgery, patient comfort is one of our highest priorities. Many oral surgery procedures are very manageable, but the first day or two after surgery can be the most uncomfortable part of recovery. For patients who want an additional option for post-operative pain control, we offer EXPAREL as an optional add-on for surgical procedures.
EXPAREL is a long-acting, non-opioid local anesthetic that is placed directly into the surgical area during the procedure. It is designed to slowly release numbing medicine over time, helping to control pain after surgery when discomfort is often at its worst. EXPAREL is bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension and is FDA-indicated for postsurgical local analgesia by infiltration in patients age 6 and older.
What Is EXPAREL?
EXPAREL is a special extended-release form of bupivacaine, which is a local anesthetic, or numbing medication. Bupivacaine has been used in dentistry and medicine for many years, but EXPAREL is formulated so the medication is released gradually after surgery.
Instead of wearing off like standard local anesthetic, EXPAREL can provide longer-lasting pain relief during the early recovery period. For many oral surgery patients, this is helpful because the first 48 hours after surgery are often when soreness, swelling, and discomfort are most noticeable.
EXPAREL is not a narcotic, opioid, or sedative. It does not make you feel sleepy, and it is not habit-forming.
How Is EXPAREL Used in Oral Surgery?
EXPAREL is given during your oral surgery procedure, before you go home.
After the surgical area has been treated, EXPAREL is carefully placed into the tissue around the surgical site. It works locally in that area to help reduce post-operative pain.
There is no separate appointment and no prescription to pick up. It is simply added to your surgical treatment if you choose to have it.
Why Do Patients Choose EXPAREL?
Patients may choose EXPAREL because they want additional help managing discomfort after surgery.
EXPAREL may be especially helpful for patients who:
- Are having a more involved oral surgery procedure
- Are concerned about pain during the first few days of recovery
- Want to reduce reliance on stronger pain medication when possible
- Have had a difficult recovery from dental surgery in the past
- Prefer a non-opioid pain control option as part of their recovery plan
EXPAREL does not eliminate the need to follow post-operative instructions, and some patients may still need ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or other medications as recommended. However, it can be a helpful part of a broader pain control plan..
What procedures can EXPAREL be used for?
At Schiffman Oral Surgery, EXPAREL may be offered for many surgical procedures, including:
- Tooth extractions
- Wisdom tooth removal
- Dental implant placement
- Bone grafting
- Sinus lift procedures
- Other oral surgery procedures where post-operative soreness is expected
We will let you know whether EXPAREL is appropriate for your specific procedure.
Is EXPAREL required?
No. EXPAREL is completely optional.
Many patients recover well with standard local anesthesia and routine post-operative medications. EXPAREL is simply an additional option for patients who want longer-lasting numbing medicine during the early recovery period.
If you are interested, we will explain the cost, benefits, limitations, and whether it is appropriate for your procedure.
Why choose Schiffman Oral Surgery?
At Schiffman Oral Surgery, we believe patients should have clear, practical options for making recovery as comfortable as possible.
EXPAREL is one of the tools we offer to help manage pain after oral surgery. Dr. Leonard Schiffman and Dr. Michael Schiffman will explain your options in plain English and help you decide whether EXPAREL should be part of your surgical plan.
Our goal is to make your procedure and recovery as smooth, comfortable, and predictable as possible.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are planning an oral surgery procedure and would like to learn whether EXPAREL may be helpful for your recovery, call 516-569-1111 to schedule a consultation. You will be examined in our state of the art private office in Woodmere, NY and a custom, personalized treatment plan will be tailored to suit your specific desires and needs.
Dr. Leonard Schiffman and Dr. Michael Schiffman offer oral surgery services to the Five Towns in Long Island, New York and surrounding towns on the South Shore of Nassau County including Woodmere NY • Hewlett NY • Cedarhurst NY • Valley Stream NY • Woodsburgh NY • Lawrence NY • Inwood NY • Far Rockaway NY • Lynbrook NY • Oceanside NY • Rockville Centre NY