What is general anesthesia for dental work?
General anesthesia is a combination of medications administered to put patients into an induced temporary state of unconsciousness. Patients are unable to feel pain and have no awareness of their surroundings. This sedative is a form of deep sedation, so the patient will be unconscious and require specific before and aftercare.
At Massanutten Dental Team and Oral Surgery, we offer anesthesia services to provide our patients with a safe, comfortable dental experience.
Who would benefit from a general anesthetic?
Dr. Biery and our experienced team of associates may recommend general anesthesia when:
- a patient cannot relax enough to receive treatment safely
- oral surgery or other dental treatment is too advanced for a patient to be awake safely
- a patient requires extensive dental work in a single visit
Patient safety and comfort are a priority in our dental practice. Therefore, we will provide education on any treatment regarding dental care, including anesthetics through IV sedation, local anesthetic, nitrous oxide, and general anesthetic.
What happens during general anesthesia for dental work?
Since a patient will be completely unconscious during general anesthesia, it is crucial to understand how to prepare for the procedure.
Pre-Operative Consultation
Before general anesthesia, patients meet with Dr. Biery for a comprehensive dental evaluation and a procedure description. She will ensure the patient is healthy enough and a good candidate for general anesthesia. She will go over any pre-operative instructions necessary with the patient to prepare for the day of and aftercare fully.
Induction of General Anesthesia
Once a patient is in the room and prepared, Dr. Biery will provide a general anesthetic through an IV or a mask. Once the patient is asleep, an IV and endotracheal tube are placed. The endotracheal tube assists the patient’s breathing and protects the airway during dental work.
What happens after general anesthesia for dental work?
Once general anesthesia has been properly induced and dental care is completed, our team will reverse the anesthesia with medications or monitor the patient until they wake up.
What are the side effects associated with general anesthesia?
General anesthesia can cause some side effects, including:
- Drowsiness for several days after the procedure
- Sore throat from to the tube
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Confusion or delirium
These side effects are a small price to pay for general anesthesia’s comfort and safety. If you are interested in general anesthesia at our practice, please contact us to make an appointment for a general anesthetic consultation. We are conveniently located in Harrisonburg, VA.
Special Precautions With General Anesthesia
As with any procedure, there are risks and precautions. Some general precautions with general anesthesia are:
- Patients with breathing issues should not receive general anesthetics.
- Individuals who take certain medications might be advised not to receive general anesthesia.
- A general anesthetic can cause nausea or vomiting.
- General anesthetics may cause side effects, such as respiratory problems or allergic reactions to medicines.
- Let your doctor know if you are pregnant.
- Patients with lung, kidney, heart, or liver problems will require specific adjustments to medication.
Our dentist in Harrisonburg, VA, will provide all necessary paperwork to ensure you are prepared and answer any questions you may have about our anesthesia services.
How can you prepare for general anesthesia before your dental procedure?
For the best outcome, we recommend you:
- Schedule a pre-operative dental appointment with Dr. Biery at Massanutten Dental Team and Oral Surgery for a general anesthetic consultation
- Have a general anesthesia evaluation with your general practitioner to make sure general anesthesia is suitable for you
- Schedule your general anesthetic procedure with us
- Avoid eating or drinking anything 8 hours before general anesthesia
You must follow all pre-operative and post-operative guidelines, and if you have any questions, reach out to our team.
Your General Anesthesia Dentist – Call Us Today
At Massanutten Dental Team and Oral Surgery, we offer a range of dental services from anesthesia and oral surgery to pediatric dentistry to provide the best dental care for our patients under one roof. Our team is comprised of American Dental Association board-certified doctors and specialists. Contact our dental office today to learn more about our anesthesia services or schedule an appointment with us.
