Thanks to technological advances, dentists can make dentistry a more pleasant experience. If you have dental anxiety or need work, you may be a candidate for general anesthesia (GA) dentistry in our office.
GA is a deeper form of sedation and is appropriate for patients with dental anxiety, those with a fear of dental sounds, those who have difficulty holding their mouths open, and children. It differs from conscious sedation as you enter a deeper stage of sleep where noise is no longer heard, and you are unaware of your surroundings. During the procedure, a medical anesthesiologist and registered nurse monitor your vital signs to ensure they stay in a safe and healthy range. If you’ve ever had surgery in an operating room and slept on the operating table, you’ve had GA.
How Does General Anesthesia Work in Dentistry?
Our medical anesthesiologists deliver anesthesia gases which make you more relaxed, and intravenous (IV) general anesthesia puts you to sleep. This calms your central nervous system, and you enter a state of temporary unconsciousness. With the unconscious state GA creates, the dental team can work on your teeth and gums as you sleep without any awareness.
Upon awakening from GA, you are transferred to the recovery area until the anesthesia wears off. During recovery, some patients may feel groggy, confused, fatigued, or lightheaded. These effects usually subside gradually as the anesthesia wears off. Still, it may take a day or so until you feel back to your usual self, so you will need help getting home after your dental procedure.
General Anesthesia Requires Special Training
Only dentists with proper training who work in fully equipped and inspected facilities can offer GA to their patients. Our board-certified medical anesthesiologists from the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie specialize in delivering anesthesia and monitoring its effects. The province of Ontario implements some of the strictest guidelines in North America concerning patient sedation and GA in dental practices. We are proud to be able to meet and exceed all these guidelines.
Our dental staff will take the time to ensure you’re a good candidate for GA in our office and discuss conscious sedation options if you prefer. Here at Dr. Dove Dental Office, we want to make your visit to the dentist as pleasant as possible!
General Anesthesia is a Safe and Effective Option
You may wonder why general anesthesia would be used for dental procedures when local anesthesia and conscious sedation are options. General anesthesia is a suitable option for complex or time-consuming procedures that would be difficult to perform when a person is awake. Some dental procedures take several hours, especially surgeries that require extensive suturing. General anesthesia provides a more comfortable experience. You drift off to dreamland and wake up with your dental work complete. Some people prefer not to be aware of what’s happening during dental surgery.
Although general anesthesia is safe for most people, the dental staff will take a thorough history to ensure you’re a good candidate. If you have certain health problems, such as liver, kidney, or heart disease, you may not be a candidate for dental general anesthesia. You may also not be a candidate if you’ve had a reaction to general anesthesia in the past.
Fortunately, serious complications from general anesthesia are rare. Still, it’s essential to let the Dr Dove Dental Office staff know whether you have medical problems, are pregnant, or take medications or supplements. We’re here to help! The dental team at Dr Dove Dental Office can also explain other options available for sedation, such as conscious sedation. So, if you’re looking for general anesthesia dentistry in Barrie, we can help.
