General Anesthesia and Sedation (Sleep Dentistry)
What is General Anesthesia?
Anesthesia means the absence of sensation. Anesthetic drugs are given before a surgical procedure to lessen or stop the pain in part, or all of the body. General anesthesia puts the whole patient into a type of deep sleep.
There are three parts to anesthesia:
- sleep
- absence of pain
- absence of movement
Why Patients Ask for General Anesthesia?
There are many reasons why a person might like to sleep through their dental appointment. Some patients are very fearful, often due to past experiences, or they may have a severe gag reflex. They might not want to hold their mouth open for long periods of time needed for major dental treatment. Others find it difficult or expensive to take off significant time from work, and want everything finished in one or two appointments.
Whatever the reason, general anesthesia or sedation can be the answer. Services are available in Dr. Stein’s office or in the operating room at Northridge Hospital Medical Center. General anesthesia or sedation is always provided by a licensed medical or dental anesthesiologist for the utmost in comfort and safety.