In-Office General Anesthesia

Posted on June 24, 2024 | First Time

For those undergoing dental or orthodontic treatment, anesthesia may cause uncertainty or apprehension. When administered in a controlled and carefully monitored environment, however, general anesthesia can offer a multitude of benefits like enhanced safety, convenience, comfort, and accessibility to care.

What Is General Anesthesia?

General anesthesia is the one everybody thinks about when they hear “anesthesia.” It’s the type most popularly portrayed in the media, and often preferred because it knocks the patient out completely. While many dental procedures use local anesthesia—numbing more specific areas of the body while the patient remains awake—patients can opt for general anesthesia if they are comfortable with it. 

Is General Anesthesia Safe?

Yes, when administered by a trained professional, general anesthesia is safe. Unlike when you go to sleep, general anesthesia actually stops some of your muscles from working—it’s more like a coma. Specialists use equipment to help your body continue to function while you’re under. 

Mich. Admin. Code R. 338.11601 requires any dentist administering general anesthesia in Michigan to have demonstrated competency by completing specific training courses. Not only do these courses cover anesthesia administration, they also include emergency training for anything that could go wrong. If you are offered general anesthesia by a Blossom specialist, you can trust that all of these boxes have been checked.

There are also regulatory bodies like the American Society of Anesthesiologists setting standards to ensure that anesthesia is administered in a way that minimizes the risk of complications and adverse events. Continuous monitoring, pre-operative assessments, and emergency protocols are all part of the greater process. 

How Does Anesthesia Work?

Many patients expect general anesthesia because it’s what they’ve seen on television. Plug into the gas, count down from 100, fall asleep. Surprisingly, that’s pretty true to the real deal. You’ll get an IV and facemask, then you’ll have the best rest of your life. 

As mentioned earlier, your entire body will be at rest from general anesthesia. The doctors will use a variety of electronic monitoring devices that closely track vitals like breathing rate, oxygen levels in the blood, and heart rate. Depending on the procedure, local anesthesia may also be used to prevent any serious soreness that would be left over at the surgery location. Once the procedure is over, they take you off the gas and IV drip, and you wake up as though no time has passed… Though you might be a little groggy at first. 

Who Uses General Anesthesia?

Many fixes can be handled with a more precise form of anesthesia, but it’s the patient’s (or their parent’s) decision at the end of the day. And not many people want to be awake if somebody has a drill in their mouth. In some cases, a child may have traumatic experiences with a particular dental or orthodontic procedure and general anesthesia may be necessary to accurately carry out these surgeries. 

Some other popular situations where someone might opt to use general anesthesia include:

• Getting multiple procedures done at once
• General anxiety or panic that makes treatment dangerous
• Having a procedure done that’s hard to do while a patient is awake
• The patient has a limited capacity to comply with safety directions during a procedure

If the anesthesia itself is the bad part, maybe getting it in a more familiar location—like right at your dentist’s office—will help ease some of the anxiety.

Why Is General Anesthesia Better at the Office?

This is more than us wanting to see you in-person for checkups! Here are three big reasons people might prefer undergoing procedures that require general anesthesia at their dentist’s office rather than the hospital:

• It’s convenient – Unlike traditional hospital-based settings, undergoing anesthesia in an office setting allows for greater flexibility and efficiency in treatment planning. Patients can schedule their procedures at a time that is convenient for them, and with much shorter wait times.

• It’s cost-effective – General anesthesia in an orthodontic office is typically less expensive than hospital-based anesthesia, making comprehensive care more accessible to patients in a greater range of financial situations. 

• It’s comfortable – Orthodontic offices are designed to prioritize patient comfort, with soothing decor and friendly staff members who are dedicated to providing compassionate care. For many patients, the thought of undergoing anesthesia in a familiar place with familiar faces can help alleviate stress. 

• It’s safe – Anesthesia aside, if you’re having a procedure done on your teeth or gums, you should have it done by the appropriate specialist. The best outcome will come from the most experience, and dentists/orthodontists have just that. 

In any case, patients should have a thorough preoperative evaluation before receiving general anesthesia to assess their medical history, current health status, and any potential risk factors. Patients will also receive detailed information about the anesthesia process, including the risks, benefits, and alternatives, to help them make the most informed decision possible.

Blossom Offers Treatment With General Anesthesia

Blossom Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics is committed to patient safety and comfort at every step of your treatment. If you have any questions about general anesthesia or would like to learn more about your sedation options, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We want you to have the best possible outcome for your procedure. Oh, and a wonderful nap doesn’t hurt either.