If your child is having extensive dental work done, the dentist may recommend putting them under general anesthesia. This can help your child stay still longer, ensuring a smooth procedure for both parties. However, there are a few things to know before agreeing to anesthesia.
Who can benefit from sedation methods in pediatric dentistry?
Typically, the dentist recommends general anesthesia due to the patient’s young age, high level of anxiety, or high volume of treatment required. Treatment performed under general anesthesia allows for a painless and non-traumatic visit to the dentist, which may allow the dentist to perform all necessary manipulations within a single visit.
Some children find it impossible to stay still in the dental chair for long periods of time if they do nothing but stare at the ceiling. This, combined with children’s natural reactions when feeling their teeth and mouth being pulled at, or the normal choking reflex, may sometimes result in a very problematic dental intervention. To make the procedure as smooth as possible, your dentist may recommend sedation.
For which procedures this is necessary?
If your child needs extensive dental work, such as crowns, root canal treatment or multiple fillings, the dentist may recommend that he or she be placed under general anesthesia to ensure that the procedures are performed quickly and efficiently.
How to prepare your child for sedation
The first thing you should do, in order to prepare yourself and your child for the sedation is to properly inform yourself. Talk to the dentist before the appointed day so you can understand what the process is going to be, why the procedure is necessary, who the team members involved will be and what equipment they have.
As for the actual preparation, your child should avoid eating for at least 8 hours before the scheduled procedure. This includes all foods and beverages that are not clear liquids. Make sure to discuss with the dentist in advance any possible medication therapy, not related to the process.
Should general anesthesia be performed in hospital or on an outpatient basis under the supervision of an anesthesiologist?
Dentists can perform general anesthesia in a dental office if they have appropriate equipment at their disposal. Some dental offices may offer general anesthesia, while others may not. They will perform the necessary procedures in a hospital or outpatient setting.
Is there a risk associated with general anesthesia and what are the side effects?
As with any medical intervention, there are certain risks, but this procedure is generally safe. Most side effects are temporary and some children may experience sore throat, confusion, lethargy, headache and nausea which should resolve completely within a few hours to a few days. Although some serious complications are possible, these are very rare.
What are the disadvantages of general anesthesia?
Although the advantages of general anesthesia far outweigh any disadvantages, the biggest concern is related to supporting the respiratory and cardiovascular function. Another disadvantage of general anesthesia is that the patient may need to be hospitalized or have surgery performed in an outpatient setting, where an anesthesiologist will administer and monitor the anesthesia, whereas a pediatric dentist can perform extensive dental work in one visit.
Are any investigations required prior to elective general anesthesia?
In most cases, no tests are required. However, if your child has a more serious health condition, your dentist may request lab tests or a further opinion from your child’s doctor.
What are the differences between general anesthesia and types of sedation?
In minimal sedation, anesthesia is administered to allow patients to respond normally to verbal commands. It reduces the fear of the dental visit, without disrupting the body’s basic functions.
Conscious or moderate sedation is a drug-induced suppression of consciousness that allows the patient to respond purposefully to verbal commands. The goal is to help him/her relax and avoid pain. The effect of the anesthetic wears off quite quickly, so specialists use it for shorter and less complex procedures.
Deep sedation is a suppression of consciousness, during which the patient cannot be awakened. He/she responds purposefully to repetitive or painful stimuli and may need assistance to maintain freely assessable airways.
General anesthesia is a drug-induced loss of consciousness, during which patients cannot be awakened even by painful stimuli. Usually, assistance is required to maintain passable airways and the procedure may result in impaired/altered cardiovascular function.
Is deep sedation the same as general anesthesia?
No. Deep sedation or deep anesthesia does not usually require assisted ventilation or cardiovascular function assistance as is the case with general anesthesia.