General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is an advanced level of sedation that can be used for children in need of significant dental work. General anesthesia will put children in a sleep-like state, where they will not remember anything from their dental procedure and will be both calming and help block discomfort.
Why Choose General Anesthesia
In most instances, general anesthesia is not needed for dental care in children. Typically, our team at Blakeney Pediatric Dentistry can get all your child’s treatment complete utilizing local anesthetic and nitrous oxide or conscious sedation. But when your child needs dental surgery or advanced procedures, general anesthesia is often chosen to help children sit through the entire procedure and not feel afraid. Many times, this sedation option is also performed in a hospital-based setting.
How it Works
When you choose general anesthesia for your child, our team will work with a certified and experienced anesthesiologist. This anesthesiologist will be in control of administering the sedation and monitoring both the control of the sedation and your child’s vital signs. Once general anesthesia has taken effect, your child will feel so relaxed that they will likely fall asleep during the entire procedure and afterward, won’t remember anything. You will have to help your child immediately after the procedure, as they will still feel groggy once they wake up, but the effects should wear off in a few hours.
If you have any questions about how general anesthesia works, or if it is the best option for your child, we suggest that you schedule a consultation with our team in our Charlotte, NC office. We will gladly walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have!
Is general anesthesia safe?
General anesthesia is safe when administered by a trained professional. Before administering anesthesia, we always thoroughly review the patient’s medical history to ensure their safety. While side effects such as grogginess, nausea, or dizziness are possible, they typically fade within a few hours. Our team follows strict safety protocols to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.
Can my child return to school after receiving general anesthesia?
Patients should not return to school or their normal activities right after receiving general anesthesia. The effects of anesthesia can last several hours, causing drowsiness, grogginess, and reduced coordination. Your child will need to rest at home under adult supervision to ensure a safe recovery. Encourage them to stay hydrated and eat soft foods as needed. We recommend keeping activities light for the rest of the day before resuming normal routines the following day.
