General Anesthesia/Sleep Dentistry

General Anesthesia, often referred to as “being put to sleep” or “sleep dentistry,” is a medical procedure that renders your child completely asleep in a pain-free environment, allowing for the safe provision of dental diagnostics and treatment. Treatment is completed in a hospital or surgical center setting and conducted as ‘outpatient’ surgery, meaning that the patient is usually able to go home a few hours after the procedure is finished. Dental treatment under general anesthesia is an effective way to provide care to apprehensive children, children too young to be able to sit in the dental chair for treatment, and children or adolescents with special health care needs.

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The general anesthesia used when completing dental treatment is the same as that used in procedures like the placement of ear tubes or having tonsils removed. The choice to have dental treatment for your child under general anesthesia involves the consideration of many factors and can only be decided by you and your dentist together after a thorough exam has been completed. General anesthesia is necessary for only a small subset of pediatric patients. While the assumed risks can be greater than that of treatment in office or with the use of nitrous oxide, the benefits have significant positive effects on the quality of life for these children as well as their families. The use of general anesthesia is only suggested for a child when the benefits far outweigh the risks of this treatment.

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General Anesthesia Instructions

Before Your Appointment

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• Your child will need to be seen by his or her pediatrician within 30 days prior to the hospital visit. The pediatrician will complete a pre-surgical medical clearance (short physical) letting us know that your child is healthy and cleared for treatment.

• We will meet with you at the office to review what to expect the day of surgery for your child.

• We review the tentative treatment plan and your child’s medical history including medications and allergies. At this time please let us know if your child has become sick or if there has been a change in any medical conditions of your child. To minimize any potential risks, only healthy children are eligible for general anesthesia. Sick children are rescheduled after they have regained full health. Typically this is between 2-4 weeks after the illness has passed.

• It is important for us to know at this visit if your child has been experiencing pain, swelling, or a change in dental condition since we last saw your child, as this can drastically change the previously discussed treatment plan.

• If your child was previously unable to take x-rays or sit for a complete exam, we may try one last time at this visit in order to help give you the best idea of the treatment he or she will need.

• Foods and liquids must be restricted prior to surgery to decrease the risk of vomiting and aspirating any stomach contents which can lead to serious health risks. The hospital will give you specific guidelines on eating and drinking the night before your child’s surgery. Here is a quick reminder of those guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.