{"id":109,"date":"2021-02-15T13:59:06","date_gmt":"2021-02-15T13:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ellicottcitysmiles.com\/blog\/?p=109"},"modified":"2021-03-15T15:10:04","modified_gmt":"2021-03-15T15:10:04","slug":"general-anesthesia-and-how-to-know-if-youre-a-candidate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ellicottcitysmiles.com\/blog\/2021\/02\/15\/general-anesthesia-and-how-to-know-if-youre-a-candidate\/","title":{"rendered":"Am I Eligible for General Anesthesia?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Do you have a difficult time sitting still for prolonged periods of time? Do you require complex dental work and other methods of sedation don\u2019t seem to be enough? General anesthesia<\/a> is a safe and effective solution offered by many dental professionals, but how can you know if you are eligible for treatment? Is it available to anyone or are certain requirements needed? A dentist explains the process for using this type of sedation and what you will need to possess to be a qualified candidate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is General Anesthesia?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

General anesthesia is the most complex method of sedation, as it requires a trained professional to administer it and ensure an individual remains safe throughout treatment. Most commonly used in hospital settings, some qualified dentists may incorporate it into their practice and use it on patients who experience extreme dental anxiety or who are preparing for complex dental care and are required to remain still for a long period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because it is designed to help individuals \u201csleep\u201d during a procedure, it allows the person to enter into an unconscious state and remember nothing from their surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does it Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The process of receiving general anesthesia must first include a consultation with the dentist to discuss eligibility. Once an individual is cleared for treatment, they will be instructed to avoid food or drinks after a certain time before undergoing a particular procedure. On the day of surgery, the dentist will administer the anesthesia via an IV, through a mask, or with an injection. Carefully monitoring the person before, during, and after surgery, the dentist will ensure they are fully sedated, safe, and completely at ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is likely that the dental team will be with an individual throughout the procedure as well as after to ensure they wake from anesthesia and experience no problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person who receives general anesthesia will need to have someone escort them to and from their appointment, as the side effects do take time to fully wear off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is Eligible to Receive It?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not everyone is eligible to receive general anesthesia. Much more complex than nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation, it requires more thorough consultation to ensure an individual is qualified. During a consultation, the dentist will ask a series of questions about the person\u2019s health and medical history as well as determine if any medications or issues can make receiving general anesthesia too risky. Most commonly, patients who experience the following are considered qualified candidates:<\/p>\n\n\n\n