What is General Anesthesia?

General anesthesia is used to make a child fully unconscious during dental treatment.

When is General Anesthesia Used?

If your child has severe anxiety or is unable to relax during their visit, they may benefit from general anesthesia. It’s commonly used for young children, individuals with compromised health issues, and other patients that cannot use different sedation methods. Before you choose to use general anesthesia, we will discuss the benefits and risks of it during a consultation appointment.

If your child is having their procedure done at our private clinic, we will schedule a consultation with our pediatric anesthesiologist and anesthesia assistant before the surgery day. They will review procedures such as fasting, what to expect the day of surgery, and will walk you through step-by-step what will happen.

Why Some Children Need General Anesthesia

Most dental treatment for children can be done while they’re awake, using gentle behavior guidance and local anesthesia. However, some children need a different approach to ensure their comfort and safety.

General anesthesia (GA) allows your child to sleep soundly while all dental care is completed in one visit. It’s often recommended for:

• Very young children who aren’t yet able to cooperate in the dental chair.

• Children with extensive dental needs that would otherwise take several long appointments.

• Children with strong dental anxiety or previous difficult experiences.

• Children with special healthcare needs that make in-office treatment unsafe or stressful.

Our goal is to provide a safe, positive experience that restores your child’s oral health and helps prevent fear or trauma related to dental visits.

Island Kids Dentistry Surgical Suite – Faster, Safe, and More Comfortable Care

Our clinic features a fully equipped in-house general anesthetic surgical suite, Island Kids Dentistry Surgical Suite, which operates three days a week.

Because we perform general anesthesia right here in our own office, your child can receive care sooner and in a more familiar, child-centered environment – without the long wait times often associated with hospital operating rooms.

At many hospitals, children may wait several months for a general anesthetic appointment. During that time, cavities can progress rapidly, leading to:

• Larger areas of decay requiring more extensive treatment or extractions

• Increased pain or infection that may result in emergency visits

• Greater overall treatment costs and complexity

• Emotional stress for both child and family as the dental problems worsen

By providing general anesthesia on-site, we can treat children quickly and comprehensively, preventing further damage and restoring comfort sooner.

Our Island Kids Dentistry Surgical Suite is designed specifically for children – bright, welcoming, and much less intimidating than a hospital setting. Your child is cared for in a familiar and reassuring environment. This helps create a smoother, calmer experience for both kids and parents alike.

Safety and Anesthetic Risk

General anesthesia for dental procedures in children is very safe when performed by a qualified anesthesia team in a properly equipped setting.

Our clinic partners with a board-certified anesthesiologist who monitors your child’s breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels throughout the procedure. Every precaution is taken to ensure your child’s safety before, during, and after treatment.

While no medical procedure is without risk, the chance of a serious complication under general anesthesia for healthy children is extremely low – similar to the risk of being injured while riding in a car.

Parents are always given the opportunity to discuss the procedure, review their child’s medical history, and ask any questions before treatment day.

Why It’s Important to Treat Dental Problems Early

Delaying dental treatment can have significant consequences. Untreated cavities can progress quickly and lead to:

• Pain, infection, and swelling, which may cause difficulty eating or sleeping.

• Abscesses that can spread infection to other parts of the body.

• Damage to developing adult teeth below the gums.

• Emergency visits that may require antibiotics or extractions.

• Disruption of growth and development, especially if eating or nutrition is affected.

By completing treatment under GA, your child’s mouth is fully restored to health — preventing future pain, infection, and unnecessary stress.

How Treatment Differs Under GA

When your child is asleep, our goal is to provide definitive, long-lasting care so another anesthetic will not be needed in the future.

That often means:

• Using stainless steel crowns (SSCs) instead of fillings — they’re stronger, more durable, and protect the whole tooth.

• Completing all necessary dental work in one visit, including fillings, crowns, extractions, and preventive treatments.

• Applying fluoride varnish and sealants to protect healthy teeth.

This approach ensures your child leaves with a healthy, pain-free mouth and minimizes the likelihood of future problems.

Why Doing All Treatment at Once Makes Sense

• Efficiency: All treatment is completed in one appointment, avoiding multiple stressful visits.

• Comfort: Your child sleeps peacefully and wakes up with the work already done.

• Safety: Fewer anesthetic exposures and less risk of infections progressing between visits.

• Peace of mind: Parents can rest assured that everything has been taken care of thoroughly and safely.

After the Procedure

Most children recover quickly after GA and go home the same day. Mild sleepiness or nausea may occur for a short time, but these effects usually pass quickly.

Our team will provide detailed home care instructions and a follow-up appointment (if needed) to ensure your child is healing well and feeling great.

Our Commitment

Our pediatric dental team has extensive experience caring for children who need general anesthesia. We work closely with anesthesiologists and parents to create a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment for every child.

Our goal is to restore your child’s oral health, eliminate pain and infection, and set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles – all while ensuring the process is as easy and comfortable as possible.