Question 1

Is dental anesthesia safe?

Accepted Answer

There are risks to any anesthesia procedure, which are comparable to the risks of driving in a car. The vast majority of patients have no issues at all, though a few do experience nausea. All of our provders use hospital-grade equipment and are prepared to manage emergencies. Anesthesia does carry the extremely rare risk of injury, hospitalization, or death, but we have safely treated over 20,000 patients and have never had an issue. If there are any hesitations there are other options we can go over as well. If you have any specific concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your provider.

Question 2

What can I expect on the day of treatment?

Accepted Answer

The anesthesia provider will come out and meet the patient and their caregiver in the waiting room. After going over the information, the patient will go back to the treatment room with the provider. For most patients, anesthesia is induced via mask induction, meaning they will breathe in the medicine through a mask until they go to sleep. After they are asleep, the provider will place an IV and an airway. Once they are fully under anesthesia, the dentist will begin the treatment. The anesthesia provider will be fully monitoring the patient and their vital signs the entire time making sure they are completely safe and comfortable. After the dentist completes the dental treatment, the anesthesia provider will taper off the anesthesia allowing the patient to gently wake up on their own. The patient and their vital signs will be continuously monitored until they meet full discharge criteria.

Question 3

Is dental anesthesia safer than other types of anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

The good thing about anesthesia during dental procedures (compared to more invasive surgeries) is that anesthesia can be easily stopped at any time. If there is any concern or any change in vital signs, the anesthesiologist will stop the delivery of anesthesia and wake the patient up.

Question 4

What will my child be like after anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

The main thing you will notice is that they’ll likely be sleepy for the rest of the day. Plan on keeping them home from school or daycare so they can rest, and have them take it easy to prevent any falls as their balance and coordination might take a bit to return to normal. Some kiddos wake up a bit irritable or upset, this is totally normal and should wear off quickly. Our providers do give an antiemetic medicine during anesthesia to prevent nausea, but some kiddos will still feel nauseous for a little. When they feel like eating have them start with light meals that are easy on the stomach, like crackers, bread, etc. If they are experiencing any dental pain you can start with Tylenol and alternate ibuprofen. Most kids have an easy recovery and bounce back quickly. If you have any concerns don’t hesitate to reach out to the dental office or anesthesia provider.

Question 5

Can I go back to the treatment room with my child?

Accepted Answer

The answer to this varies depending on the comfort level of the kid and the caregivers. It is generally preferred for the provider and dental staff to bring the child back by themselves, if they will go willingly. We have found that the child actually tends to be less emotional in the room without the caregiver present. When they come back by themselves, most kiddos do very well. However, every kid is different, so we can assess what would work best in your situation individually. We know it can add extra anxiety to some kiddos to have to go with a stranger, so in some cases it can be a big help to have the caregiver come back. After they are safely under anesthesia we always have the caregivers return to the waiting room so the provider can focus solely on the kiddo.

Question 6

Do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

We are credentialed with all state Medicaid plans. We are not credentialed with any private insurance companies. If you have private insurance, we are happy to provide you with a superbill that you can submit for possible reimbursement. Feel free to reach out to our billing office with any questions.

Question 7

What are the eating instructions before the procedure?

Accepted Answer

Heavy meals 
Stop 8 hours before the procedure. (High fat/fried foods, meat, dairy)

Light meals 
Stop 6 hours before the procedure.
(Toast, crackers, cereal, fruit, orange juice, low fat/low protein foods)

Clear liquids 
Stop 2 hours before the procedure
(Any liquid you can see through - water, jello, sprite, apple juice, other clear juices)

Question 8

What should I bring with me to the appointment?

Accepted Answer

Feel free to bring any comfort items that your child might like, as well as a comfortable blanket for the ride home. Children that experience bedwetting may benefit from a pull-up or change of clothes.

Question 9

Can I speak directly to my anesthesia provider?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Our providers are happy to answer any questions you might have. Most of our providers give out their personal cell number for any questions. Give our office a call and we will connect you to your provider.

FAQ