How To Prepare For General Anesthesia at The Dentist

You and your dentist will go over your health history, ensure that you are healthy enough to have general anesthesia, and make sure that it’s the right choice for your procedure.

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Chris C.

Great practice and nice people. I've been going there for 25+ years!!!

Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind review ! We appreciate that beyond words! It has been our pleasure having you as our patient! We look forward to seeing you at your next dental visit!

Melinda B.

Dr. Hoffman and staff were patient and kind. They listened to health history that led to needing their services. They made the care plan individualized to specific needs. Appreciate all the team members!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re glad to hear that our team took the time to listen and provide compassionate, individualized care. We truly appreciate your kind words and your trust in our team.

Sheila I.

What a wonderful, knowledgeable, caring staff. Excellent care given to our 26 year old special needs son. They made everything so easy and kept me updated through the whole visit. Would highly recommend.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! Our team works hard to provide compassionate, high-quality care and to keep families informed every step of the way. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.

Kisha D.

Dr.Hoffmann thank you so much for making everything smooth and easy your staff was awesome for it to be so early in the morning all smiles and nice facility. They make you feel comfortable and explain everything to you as they go. I will refer you to my family and friends thank you again.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re so glad to hear you had a positive experience with our team and that everything felt smooth and comfortable for you. We truly appreciate your kind words and your willingness to recommend our office to family and friends! 😊

Jan R.

This dental practice is excellent with my daughter (25 y/o with autism). The entire team is kind, patient, and understanding. They take time to explain what will be happening and only recommend procedures that are truly necessary.

The staff never rushes and makes patients feel comfortable and supported. They are very in tune with sensory challenges. It’s clear they care deeply about creating a positive experience and treating everyone with dignity.

We heartily recommend Dr. Hoffmann and his team.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear your daughter feels comfortable and supported. Dr. Hoffmann and our team truly appreciate your recommendation.

General anesthesia at the dentist is one way to deal with severe dental anxiety or safely receive major oral surgeries, such as removing impacted wisdom teeth.

With this type of anesthesia, you are completely unconscious. You won’t remember anything that happened during your procedure. Wondering how to prepare for your treatment at The Dental Anesthesia Center? Here are a few steps you will need to take.

Discuss Risks With Your Dentist Before Your Treatment

While general anesthesia is very safe, certain health conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, and other complex medical histories may increase the risk of complications during general anesthesia.

You and your dentist at The Dental Anesthesia Center will go over your health history and ensure that you are healthy enough to have general anesthesia – and to make sure that it’s the right choice for your procedure.

Fast According To Your Dentist’s Instructions

You will usually need to fast for at least 6 hours before your surgery. This is because general anesthesia affects muscles in your digestive tract and airway, relaxing them and potentially allowing food and acid into the stomach and lungs. If you have an empty stomach, this is not an issue.

Stop Taking Certain Medications or Supplements

Your dentist will discuss any medications you may not be able to take before your general anesthesia appointment, such as blood thinners.

There are also some other supplements you should avoid before surgery, such as kava, Gingko Biloba, garlic, ginseng, and St. John’s Wort. Again, it would be best to discuss all of your supplements with your doctor to ensure you do not take any supplements that could affect your anesthesia.

Bring Someone With You To Take You Home & Take Care Of You

You will not be able to drive yourself home after your treatment, and the side effects of anesthesia may last for a few hours after your appointment. Along with feelings of confusion and disorientation, you may experience:

• Nausea
• Shivering
• Dry mouth
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Sleepiness
• Itching

It’s important to bring a responsible adult, such as a partner, family member, or close friend with you to your appointment at The Dental Anesthesia Center. After your appointment, you will be released into their care, and they can monitor you at home to make sure you don’t experience any significant side effects or after-effects related to anesthesia.

Consult With Our Team

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we offer several different anesthesia types, ranging from minimal sedation with laughing gas to complete, full-body general anesthesia. If you are interested in the benefits of sleep dentistry, contact us online or give us a call at (314) 862-7844 for an appointment and explore your options further.