Expert Care When your Child Goes Under General Anesthesia
Children may undergo general anesthesia during dental procedures for several reasons. One primary reason is to ensure their comfort and safety, particularly if they are young, have extensive dental needs, or have difficulty cooperating or sitting still for an extended period. General anesthesia allows our dental team to perform required dental work while the child is unconscious, minimizing anxiety, discomfort, and potential movement.
Why is general anesthesia used for dental work?
While the use of general anesthesia in pediatric dentistry is not uncommon, it is typically reserved for cases where other methods, such as local anesthesia or conscious sedation, are inadequate or impractical. The decision to administer general anesthesia is made on an individual basis, considering the child's unique circumstances, medical history, and the complexity of the dental procedure.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) released a clinical report in 2019 with new guidance on dental procedures using sedation. The report, “Guidelines for Monitoring and Management of Pediatric Patients Before, During and After Sedation for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures,” provides a new standard for delivering safe sedation to children. We proudly incorporate these safety principles in our practice for high-quality patient care.
What is the process of undergoing general anesthesia?
When placed under general anesthesia, your child will be unconscious while he/she receives the dental care they need. It is very important that your child does not eat or have anything to drink for 8-12 hours prior to surgery. While awake, our anesthesiologist, Dr. Christine Lemon, will place a face mask gently over your child’s nose and mouth. Your child will inhale through the mask and slowly start to fall asleep. The IV will be placed and the patient’s vitals will be closely monitored. The procedure lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of dental work needed.
After the procedure, your child will be transferred to the post operation room so he or she can regain consciousness and recuperate from sedation.
What is recovery like after general anesthesia?
It’s normal for a child to feel tired and sleepy after the procedure. The patient should limit activity and rest for the remainder of the day. A light diet is recommended for the first few hours after the surgery. For the first hour, your child may begin to drink clear liquids. If your child is doing well, then he or she may eat soft foods and slowly progress to a regular diet.
Parents may be understandably concerned about their child's well-being and any potential complications that could arise during or after the procedure. Additionally, some children may experience side effects or discomfort following anesthesia, such as nausea, vomiting, sore throat, or drowsiness. These temporary effects can cause worry for parents as they monitor their child's recovery. They may have questions about pain management, postoperative care, or potential complications specific to the dental work performed. It’s important you communicate any worries with our dental team to address any uncertainties and ensure your child's well-being. We are with you every step of the way.
Reno Pediatric Dentists and General Anesthesia
We recommend scheduling a consultation with our anesthesiologist to help answer any concerns or questions in advance of the operation. By utilizing these channels of communication, parents can ensure that their queries are addressed and gain a better understanding of the anesthesia process at Children's Dentistry of Reno. Contact our general anesthesiology team at Children's Dentistry of Reno to learn more today.
