General Anesthesia
We recognize that some of our young patients may feel anxious or apprehensive about receiving dental care. Our doctors and staff work hard to make sure that your child has a comfortable, positive experience, and that's why we are pleased to offer IV sedation dentistry for those patients needing a little extra help completing treatment. Feeling anxious about receiving dental care should never prevent having a beautiful, healthy smile.
Our office is proud to offer customized IV sedation dentistry that is safe and effective.
At our office we offer general anesthesia as a treatment option for your child.
How general anesthesia dentistry works
When you arrive at our practice, you will be greeted by the anesthesiologist. Our staff will be waiting for you and will then escort you and your child to a private treatment room.
Your anesthesiologist will gently place a soft mask that administers a gas medication to help your child fall asleep into a deeper state of relaxation. An IV will be placed once they’re unconscious to keep them asleep throughout their treatment, and once treatment is complete, your child will wake up with little or no memory of the appointment and a beautiful new smile. Using general anesthesia dentistry, we are able to comprehensovely treat your childs needs in just one office visit. In rare or extremely long cases, it can be split into two.
Common questions about general anesthesia dentistry
We understand that before receiving treatment, you may have many questions about IV sedation dentistry. Here are some of the most common questions and answers about IV sedation dentistry.
- Will my child feel anything during treatment?
In general anesthesia cases, patients do not feel anything. They are asleep and there is no memory of the treatment. If they are having general anesthesia for extractions, they will be numb upon consciousness, which some children do not like the feeling of.
- Is general anesthesia dentistry the same as being unconscious?
In our office, yes. It is treated just as any other surgery (ex. a knee replacement).
- Is general anesthesia dentistry safe?
General anesthesia dentistry is a safe and effective way for many patients to receive dental treatment. Before starting treatment with general anesthesia, the doctor will talk with you and help you decide if it is right for your child’s treatment.
- How long will it take the sedation to wear off?
The time it takes for the sedatives to wear off depends on the dose received, how long the treatment is, and how quick your child’s body can recover.
- Is my child a good candidate for general anesthesia dentistry?
Any patients who experience dental anxiety are good candidates for GA dentistry. If your child has any of the following fears or concerns, ask your doctor about IV sedation dentistry as an option for his or her next dental treatment:
- Extreme dental anxiety or fear of visiting the dentist
- Fear of needles and/or shots
- Past traumatic dental experience
- Can't handle the smells or noises of being at a dentist's office
- Has overly sensitive teeth, a strong gag reflex, or trouble getting numb
- Requires a more complex dental treatment
- Wishes to have a more comfortable dental treatment
- Has intellectual disabilities or more complex needs
If you feel that your child could benefit from GA dentistry, please contact us and let us know how we can better accommodate your family’s needs.