Dental Treatments Under General Anesthesia

Dental treatment under general anesthesia is a safe and effective method that helps improve patient comfort in certain situations. In this method, the patient is completely asleep during the treatment, so that they can complete the procedure without pain, suffering or discomfort. General anesthesia can be a suitable solution, especially for individuals who need prolonged treatments, are uncomfortable staying in the dentist's chair, or experience anxiety and fear during treatment.

This method allows for easy and comfortable completion of various dental treatments for both adults and children. In addition, for individuals with special needs, general anesthesia may be preferred to ensure that the treatment process is safe and stress-free. Especially in cases that require complex or long-term treatment, dental treatment under general anesthesia allows multiple procedures to be completed in a single session.

In which cases is dental treatment under general anesthesia preferred?

In some cases, dental treatment under general anesthesia increases patient comfort and makes the treatment process easier. The following conditions are the main conditions for which general anesthesia is preferred:

Fear of Dentist and Anxiety

General anesthesia can be applied for individuals who have a fear of dentists or who experience high levels of stress and anxiety during treatment. This method allows the treatment process to be completed in a comfortable and stress-free environment.

Long-term and Comprehensive Treatments

Long and extensive procedures such as multiple tooth extractions, bridges, prostheses or implant placement can be performed under general anesthesia. In this way, multiple treatments can be completed in one go, providing a more practical process for the patient.

Low Tolerance to Pain

General anesthesia may be preferred for individuals with a low pain threshold or sensitivity to local anesthesia. In this case, the patient can be anesthetized throughout the procedure and complete the treatment process without pain or discomfort.

Individuals with Special Needs

The use of general anesthesia in individuals who have difficulty staying still during dental treatment due to physical or mental disabilities ensures that the treatment process takes place safely and comfortably.

Pediatric Patients

Young children may not be patient, especially during prolonged or complex dental treatments, or they may be fearful of the treatment process. In such cases, general anesthesia can help children to go through the treatment process more comfortably and prevent fear or stress.

Patients with Special Health Conditions

For people with special health conditions, such as heart conditions, respiratory problems or blood disorders, it is important to minimize stress during treatment. General anesthesia may be preferred to ensure that individuals with such health conditions receive treatment safely. Anesthesiologists ensure safety by monitoring the patient's vital signs throughout the procedure.

Which treatments can be performed under general anesthesia?

Under general anesthesia, various treatments in dentistry can be performed safely and comfortably. This method can be preferred especially for painful, long-lasting or extensive procedures. The following treatments are among the main procedures that can be performed under general anesthesia:

Tooth Extraction

Extraction of impacted teeth or cases where more than one tooth needs to be extracted at the same time can be easily performed under general anesthesia. In this way, the patient does not feel pain during the procedure and the treatment process is more comfortable.

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment, which is performed to treat infections in the roots of teeth, may take longer in cases of deep decay or complex cases. Under general anesthesia, this treatment can be performed with increased patient comfort.

Filling and Restoration Procedures

Filling and restoration procedures to treat tooth decay and repair damaged teeth can be performed under general anesthesia. This ensures a comfortable experience for the patient throughout the procedure.

Child Dental Treatments

General anesthesia in children is preferred for procedures such as caries treatment, tooth extraction and preventive applications. This method allows children, especially those who have a fear of dentists, to go through the treatment process more comfortably.

Prosthesis and Implant Applications

When prosthesis or implant applications are performed to replace missing teeth, general anesthesia may be preferred for long-lasting procedures. This method provides convenience for both the patient and the physician during the treatment process.

Gum Surgeries

Surgical procedures for the treatment of gum diseases can be performed under general anesthesia. Gum surgeries can be performed under general anesthesia without pain and discomfort.

Comprehensive Restorations

In patients with deteriorating general condition of the teeth, extensive restoration procedures that require multiple treatments can also be performed under general anesthesia. These procedures can include treatments ranging from tooth extractions to crowns and bridges and can be completed in a single session.

Treatment of Other Special Cases

General anesthesia can also be used to treat special cases such as cysts, tumors, jaw disorders and jaw trauma. In such cases, general anesthesia helps to increase both patient comfort and the safety of the treatment process.

What should be considered before and after general anesthesia?

For patients who will undergo dental treatment under general anesthesia, there are some important points to be considered both before and after the procedure:

Before Anesthesia

• Hunger and Thirst: The patient should not eat or drink for at least 6-8 hours before general anesthesia is administered. This increases safety by protecting the stomach cavity during anesthesia.
• Medication Use: Patients taking regular medications should inform their doctor. Since some medications may affect the anesthesia process, necessary arrangements can be made.
• Alcohol and Cigarette Consumption: Alcohol consumption should be avoided for at least 24 hours before anesthesia. Smoking can also affect blood flow, so it is recommended not to smoke before the procedure.
• Clothing and Jewelry: It is recommended to wear comfortable and loose clothing on the day of treatment. It is also important to remove all jewelry to ensure safety and sterilization. This is useful to ensure comfort and hygiene during the procedure.

After Anesthesia

• Staying Under Supervision: Side effects such as dizziness and nausea may occur after anesthesia. Therefore, the patient is kept under observation for a short time after the procedure.
• Rest: Since it may take several hours for the anesthesia effect to wear off completely, it is recommended that patients rest after the procedure. Heavy physical activities should be avoided for the first 24 hours.
• Food and Fluid Intake: After the anesthesia wears off, patients should eat light and soft foods. It is also important to avoid hot food and drinks for the first few hours after the procedure.
• Driving: Since reflexes may be temporarily affected after anesthesia, it is preferable not to drive on the day of the procedure and to be accompanied by the patient's relatives.

What are the Benefits of Treatment with General Anesthesia in Children?

General anesthesia helps to perform dental treatment in children comfortably and safely. The main benefits of treatment with general anesthesia for children are as follows:

Reduces Fear and Anxiety: For children who experience fear during dental treatment, general anesthesia relaxes the treatment process by completely eliminating stress and anxiety.

More Comprehensive Treatment Possibility: General anesthesia allows children to undergo multiple procedures at once. This means that the entire treatment can be completed in one session, rather than several separate visits.

Painless Treatment Process: Children do not feel pain because they cannot feel anything during the procedure. This makes future visits to the dentist more positive.

Provides Movement Control: Young children may find it difficult to stay still during treatment. Thanks to general anesthesia, the child is completely asleep and the dentist can perform the treatment procedures comfortably.

Important for Long-Term Dental Health: Thanks to treatments with general anesthesia, children's dental health is protected at an early age, which helps prevent dental problems later in life.

How Safe Are Dental Treatments Under General Anesthesia?

Dental treatment under general anesthesia is quite safe when performed by an expert team. As Üsküdar Dental Hospital, we ensure the safety of each patient at the highest level with our anesthesiologists and experienced medical staff.

Comprehensive Evaluation: Before the treatment, our patients undergo a detailed evaluation and their health status is analyzed. Thus, the anesthesia process is planned taking into account the general health status of the patient.

Patient Monitoring Devices: The devices used during anesthesia continuously monitor the vital signs of the patients throughout the procedure. This allows for immediate intervention in case of any unexpected situation.

Experienced Anesthesia Team: Dental treatment under anesthesia is performed only by our expert anesthesia team. This team constantly monitors the patient's response to anesthesia and ensures the safety of the procedure.

Are there any risks in dental treatment under general anesthesia?

Dental treatment under general anesthesia may carry some risks, albeit rare. However, these risks are minimized when managed by an expert team. Possible side effects and risks include

Temporary dizziness and nausea: Some patients may experience short-term dizziness and nausea after anesthesia. These effects usually resolve quickly.

Breathing Problems: Very rarely, breathing problems may occur during anesthesia. In such cases, the anesthesia team carefully monitors all vital signs throughout the procedure and takes the necessary precautions.

Allergic Reactions: Some reactions may occur in patients who are allergic to anesthesia drugs. Therefore, the patient's allergy history is carefully evaluated before the procedure.

Cardiovascular Risks: For patients with heart disease or blood pressure problems, anesthesia may carry certain risks. The anesthesia team makes special preparation for such patients and makes the anesthesia process safe.

Dental treatment under general anesthesia can be a safe option when properly prepared and managed by an expert team. Risks can be minimized, contributing to a comfortable treatment process for patients.