Comfort & anesthesia
Awake, or under general anesthesia.
Those are the two paths for surgery at this practice. Your preferences matter. The appropriate options also depend on your health, the planned treatment, and the clinical team’s assessment.
The two paths
Discuss both at your consultation.
Your written plan explains the options appropriate for you and their fees.
- Awake, with local anesthetic
- When clinically appropriate, treatment is performed while you remain awake with local numbing. Expect pressure and vibration. Local anesthetic is part of every procedure, whatever else you choose.
- General anesthesia
- When clinically appropriate, general anesthesia is given and monitored by a physician anesthesiologist, in our office. The anesthesia assessment and arrangements are completed before surgery.
How general anesthesia is run here
Two clinicians, two jobs.
For full-arch surgery under general anesthesia, a physician anesthesiologist gives the anesthetic and monitors you. Dr. Greenwald performs the dentistry.
The anesthesiologist reviews your health history before the day, administers the anesthesia, and monitors your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure until you are awake and stable.
- Before
- A health-history review before anesthesia is approved.
- During
- Continuous monitoring, from start to recovery.
- After
- Written instructions, and a responsible adult to drive you home. We plan this with you.
Anesthesia is a clinical decision, made with you.
Deeper comfort options come with a medical screening: your health history, your medications, your heart and lungs. Sometimes the safer answer is a lighter option. That conversation happens at your consultation, before anything is scheduled.
What to expect
What you will feel, and afterward.
Under local anesthetic you are awake and numb. If anything hurts, you raise a hand and we stop. Under general anesthesia you are unaware during the surgery.
Recovery from surgery involves soreness and swelling, and you should know that beforehand. Your medication and aftercare are planned before the day.
Your next step
Let’s talk about your smile.
Tell us what has been holding you back, and ask your first questions.
A consultation is a conversation, an examination, and a written plan you take home. Nothing is decided in the chair.
(813) 908-2444Call the practice to plan your consultation. Ask about availability and any consultation or imaging fees when you call.
- FirstTalk through what you want to change.
- ThenHave an examination, with imaging if it is needed.
- Before you decideReceive a written treatment plan and fees.
- Visit
- The Destination Smile
16654 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 1030
Tampa, FL 33618Get directions (opens in a new tab) - Hours
- Monday – Thursday
- 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Friday – Sunday
- Closed
- Your dentist
- Mark J. Greenwald, DDS
The Destination Smile · Tampa