Sedation

General Anesthesia

What is general anesthesia?
General anesthesia is a controlled state of unconsciousness that eliminates awareness, movement and discomfort during dental treatment. A physician or dentist with specialized training can use various medications to provide general anesthesia for patients receiving dental care.

Who should use general anesthesia?
Most people do not know that anesthesia was originally developed by dentists who wanted to eliminate the discomfort their patients felt during dental procedures. There are many reasons why general anesthesia should be used. Patients may have a medical or behavioral condition, or they simply may have had a bad dental experience. Many young children are just not emotionally mature to sit still for complex dental treatment. General anesthesia allows for safe, effective, and economical treatment of children requiring significant surgical procedures or patients having special health care needs.

What are the goals of general anesthesia?
The goals of general anesthesia are: 1) to guard your child’s safety and welfare; 2) to minimize physical discomfort and pain; 3) to control anxiety, minimize psychological trauma, and maximize the potential for amnesia; 4) to control behavior and/or movement so as to allow the safe completion of the procedure; and 5) to return your child to a state in which safe discharge from medical supervision is possible.

Is General Anesthesia Safe?
The safety record of general anesthesia is first rate. Nevertheless, it is important to understand some of the associated, potential complications.

• Nausea and vomiting are among the most common complications. However the occurrences are rare (only about 10%). Patients who have previously experienced post operative nausea and vomiting, or are susceptible to motion sickness are at a higher risk of such occurrence.

• Delayed recovery may occur after extended procedures. Most people are able to be discharged 15-30 minutes after the completion of treatment. However, some people have different responses to medications and this time may be extended.

• Allergic reactions are extremely rare with the drugs used during dentistry, but can be managed with the use of emergency drugs to reverse the signs and symptoms of the reaction (e.g., Benadryl).

Most pediatric medical literature places the risk of a serious reaction in the range of 1 in 25,000 to 1 in 200,000; far better than the assumed risk of even driving a car daily. Precautions are taken to protect your child during general anesthesia; personnel who are trained to manage complications will monitor your child closely.

The inherent risks if this is not chosen are multiple appointments, potential for physical restraint to complete treatment and possible emotional and/or physical injury to your child in order to complete their dental treatment. The risks of NO treatment include tooth pain, infection and swelling, the spread of new decay, damage to their developing adult teeth, and possible life threatening hospitalization from a dental infection.

Responsible Person
Your child shall be accompanied to and from the treatment facility by a parent, legal guardian, or other responsible person. It is preferable to have two or more adults accompany children who are still in car safety seats if transportation to and from the treatment facility is provided by one of the adults.