Outpatient General Anesthesia is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs that would not work well under conscious or I.V. sedation. General anesthesia trenders your child completely asleep. This would be same as if he/she was having their tonsils removed, ear tubes, or hernia repaired. This is performed in a hospital setting only. While the assumed risks are greater than that of other treatment options, if this is suggested for your child, the benefits of treatment this way have been deemed to outweigh the risks. The inherent risks if this is not chosen are multiple appointments, potential for physical restraint to complete treatment and possible emotional and/or physical injury to your child in order to complete their dental treatment. The risks of NO treatment include tooth pain, infection, swelling, the spread of new decay, damage to their developing adult teeth and possible life threathening hospitalization from a dental infection.
Prior to your appointment:
- Please notify us of any change in your child's health. Do not bring your child for treatment with a fever, ear infection or cold. Should your child become ill, contact us to see if it is necessary to postpone the appointment.
- You must tell the doctor of any medications that your child is currently taking and any drug reactions and/or change in medical history.
- Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
- Your child cannot have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night before their appointment or the morning of their appointment. This is very important because it helps cut down on the choking risks for your child.
- The child's parent or legal guardian must sign paperwork at the hospital. We like for them to remain at the hospital the whole time that their child is being seen; however, we understand that circumstances arise and prevent that from happening. Therefore, another adult family member will have to stay for the time the child is in the faciliy.
After the appointment:
- Your child will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very closely for at least the first 24 hours after your surgery. Keep your child away from areas of potential harm.
- Do not be alarmed if your child experiences mild nausea. Some nausea and vomiting may occur. If it continues and they are unable to keep down liquids, notify your doctor.
- Swelling within the mouth and in the face is normal for some patients following dental surgery and will increase gradually for about 48 hours. After the first 2 days, swelling will begin to diminish for several days. Once gone, swelling should not return. If it does, this could be a sign of infection and you should return to the doctor.
- Please notify the doctor if your child experiences a temperature, has pain not controlled by medicine, or bleeding. It is very unusual for a dental patient to experience bleeding which cannot be controlled by biting firmly on gauze or a tea bag. If your child experiences this type of bleeding, please report to an emergency room.
- Your child may have a slightly scratchy throat from the breathing tube.
- Let your child eat light after surgery and gradually increase your diet as tolerated. Soft foods are good. Avoid carbonated drinks if any teeth were extracted. Avoid using straws if any teeth were extracted, as this may result in continued bleeding. If stainless steel crowns were placed, avoid sticky foods and gum.
- The patient may notice sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure following restorations. This is normal and should diminish after a few weeks.
- The patient may notice that one or more of his/her teeth feel "high". If this continues for more than a few days, the patient may need to return to our office for an adjustment.
- Pain medicine should be taken with food. Take Tylenol or Motrin or the pain medications given to you for discomfort and pain.
- Patient should avoid brushing or rinsing for the first 24 hours. After this period, patient may rinse with warm salt water and bursh normally. You may find excess cement around the edges of crowns; this will wear off in a few days and is no cause for alarm.