All operations and all anesthesia have some small risks and they are dependent upon many factors including the type of surgery and the medical condition of the patient. Fortunately, adverse events are very rare. Your anesthesiologist takes precautions to prevent an accident from occurring just as you do when driving a car or crossing the street. The specific risks of anesthesia vary with the particular procedure and the condition of the patient. You should ask your anesthesiologist about any risks that may be associated with your anesthesia.

To help anesthesiologists provide the best and safest patient care possible, national standards have been developed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists to enhance the safety and quality of anesthesia. Specific standards already have been developed regarding patient care before surgery, basic methods of monitoring patients during surgery, and patient care during recovery. New standards continue to be developed to further ensure patient safety. These standards, along with today’s sophisticated monitoring and anesthesia equipment, as well as improved medications and techniques, have contributed enormously toward making anesthesia safer than ever before.

For most procedures, it is necessary for you to have an empty stomach to limit the chances of regurgitating any undigested food or liquids. Some anesthetics suspend your normal reflexes so that your body’s automatic defenses may not be working. For example, your lungs normally are protected from objects, such as undigested food, from entering them. However, this natural protection does not occur while you are anesthetized. For your safety, you are required to fast (no food or liquids) before surgery. Your doctor will tell you specifically whether you can or cannot eat and drink and for how long, or you may also be instructed to take certain medications with a little water during your fasting time. It is very important that you follow these instructions carefully about fasting and medications; if not, it may be necessary to postpone surgery.

There are three main categories of anesthesia: general, regional and local. Each has many forms and uses.

In local anesthesia, you’ll receive an injection that is isolated to the area of the procedure. The drug will numb only that area, and you’ll remain conscious. This type of anesthesia is frequently used for minor dental work on pediatric and adult patients.

Regional anesthesia combines local anesthetics with other medications to provide nerve blocks to a larger area of the body.

In general anesthesia, you are unconscious and have no awareness or other sensations. There are a number of general anesthetic drugs. Some are gases or vapors inhaled through a breathing mask or tube, and others are medications introduced through a vein. During anesthesia, you are carefully monitored, controlled and treated by your anesthesiologist, who uses sophisticated equipment to track all your major bodily functions. A breathing tube may be inserted through your mouth and frequently into the windpipe to maintain proper breathing during this period. The length and level of anesthesia is calculated and constantly adjusted with great precision. At the conclusion of surgery, your anesthesiologist will reverse the process and you will regain awareness in the recovery room. This type of anesthesia is commonly used for more complex dental procedures, for patients that have anxiety related to their procedure, or for pre-cooperative patients (like children).

The side effects of dental anesthesia are usually mild and of short duration. Some of the common side effects of anesthesia include dizziness, shivering, nausea, sore throat and feeling tired. For most patients, these side effects will subside over 3-4 hours following their procedure. Nausea is less common with the medication provided, but if you are prone to nausea, we will work out a plan to help reduce the potential for nausea.  A sore throat, while rare, may take a day or two to completely go away.

We measure the heart waves, the oxygen in your body, blood pressure, and your temperature. All of our equipment and monitors are checked regularly by state professionals and certified routinely.

Insurance companies vary in coverage, but most policies typically do not cover anesthesia in the dental setting.  We recommend you speak with your medical and dental insurance providers for further details. Depending on you or your child’s medical condition, your dentist can provide a letter on your behalf highlighting the necessity of anesthesia for their procedure.

We have extensive experience providing care for patients with special needs. Our philosophy holds that every patient is unique and anesthetic care should be tailored to meet the individual needs of our pediatric patients.

There will be atleast three caregivers (including the anesthesiologist) with your child throughout the entire procedure. The anesthesiologist will continuously monitor your child’s response to the anesthesia and the procedure. The very least amount of medications possible will be used to provide a safe and comfortable experience for your child.

Prior to your procedure, we’ll assess your overall health. It’s important to share any and all medical concerns or issues the patient has experienced in the medical questionnaire. Don’t eat anything eight hours before your procedure because this increases the risk of aspiration. Aspiration occurs when food in your stomach enters your lungs while you’re under anesthesia. You may drink clear liquids like water, apple juice and Gatorade up to two hours before surgery.