Do you find it challenging to bring your child in for a dental appointment? Do they express extreme fear or anxiety over these visits? Are they preparing to undergo multiple dental treatments in a single session? If so, general anesthesia may be the appropriate method of sedation to keep them calm and relaxed. But how can you know if your child is a candidate for this type of care? Keep reading to find out what our dentists look for when determining whether general anesthesia is right for your little one.
What is General Anesthesia?
General anesthesia is a form of sedation that causes a patient to fall asleep during treatment. It creates a level of unconsciousness so that children can remain completely comfortable and at ease throughout their visit.
It is commonly administered by an anesthesiologist who will closely monitor your child to ensure they remain relaxed and asleep during their appointment.
How Does General Anesthesia Work?
Treating your child with general anesthesia requires taking the appropriate steps to ensure their safety. On the day of their procedure, the anesthesiologist will use a mask to begin the process. Once your child is asleep, they will place an IV in the hand, arm, or foot before inserting a breathing tube. This will allow them to breathe freely while undergoing necessary dental work.
Throughout their appointment, the anesthesiologist will continue to monitor them until it is time to remove the breathing tube and wake up from treatment. It’s unlikely that your child will remember anything, which can be helpful, especially if they express fear or anxiety related to dental care.
Is My Child a Candidate for General Anesthesia?
Before your child can receive general anesthesia, our pediatric dental team must evaluate them to ensure they are healthy enough to receive this type of treatment. A few things we will look at include:
- If they require multiple dental treatments to be performed in a single appointment
- If they struggle to sit still or cooperate while in the treatment chair
- If they have an intellectual or physical disability that makes it difficult for them to receive dental care of any kind without some form of sedation
- If other methods of sedation are not enough
When entrusting your child to our team at Smiles University Pediatric Dentistry, our board-certified pediatric dentists believe in putting in prioritizing your child’s safety. If general anesthesia is recommended, we will take every precaution to make sure they remain comfortable from beginning to end.
About the Author
Dr. Adam Goodwin is a board-certified pediatric dentist who earned his dental degree from Georgia Health Sciences University before completing a two-year pediatric specialty training. As one of the three dentists at Smile University Pediatric Dentistry, he is pleased to offer general anesthesia to young patients who require more advanced and complex treatment. Visit our website or call (512) 400-3280 to learn whether sedation dentistry is right for your child.