Typically, dental anesthesia side effects are mild and short-lived. They may include dizziness, shivering, nausea, sore throat, and fatigue. These effects usually diminish within 3-4 hours after the procedure for most patients. Nausea risk is reduced with medication, and we can create a plan to minimize it if you are prone to it. Although rare, a sore throat may last a day or two before resolving fully.

The extent of insurance coverage for dental anesthesia varies between insurance companies. It is noteworthy that dental anesthesia is typically not covered by most policies. We recommend reaching out directly to your medical and dental insurance providers for detailed information regarding your coverage. In situations where anesthesia is medically necessary for a dental procedure due to a specific condition, your dentist can assist you by providing a letter explaining the essential need for anesthesia.

Maintaining an empty stomach is vital to minimize the risk of regurgitation during procedures. Anesthetics can suppress reflexes, compromising the body's defense mechanisms. While under anesthesia, your lungs are vulnerable to foreign objects, such as undigested food. To prioritize your safety, it is essential to fast from eating or drinking before surgery. Your doctor will provide precise instructions on the fasting duration and medication consumption with a small amount of water. Strict adherence to these instructions is critical to avoid potential surgery postponement.

Anesthesia and surgery involve inherent risks that can vary depending on the procedure and the patient's health. However, adverse events are extremely rare. Dentist anesthesiologists take precautions similar to how you would when driving or crossing the street to minimize risks. Specific anesthesia risks depend on the procedure and your condition. It's important to discuss any concerns with your anesthesiologist.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists sets national standards for patient care, ensuring safety and quality. These standards cover pre-surgical, intraoperative, and post-surgical care. Ongoing efforts continue to enhance patient safety through new standards, improved monitoring, equipment, medications, and techniques, making anesthesia safer than ever before.

We monitor your heart, oxygen, blood pressure, and body temperature closely. Our equipment and monitors undergo regular inspections and certifications by professionals.

We are highly experienced in providing specialized care to patients with unique needs. Our approach focuses on understanding the individuality of each patient and tailoring anesthesia to meet the specific requirements of the patient population.

Please inform us if there are any specific needs that will aid in the comfort of the patient.

There will be at least three caregivers (including the dentist anesthesiologist) with your child throughout the entire procedure. The dentist anesthesiologist will continuously monitor your child’s response to the anesthesia and the procedure. The very least amount of medications possible will be used to provide a safe and comfortable experience for your child.

Check out the information listed here: For Patients.

As always, there is a chance of this happening on very rare occasions. However, our dentist anesthesiologists will titrate medications to minimize the occurrence.

Most procedures for children are intubated to reduce risk of airway compromise, especially considering the dentist is working in the mouth.

For adults, we will work with your dentist to ensure the needs of the procedure and we will discuss this before deciding whether to intubate.