Sedation - General Anesthesia
Creekside Dental Clinic is pleased to be able to offer general anesthesia in our accredited general anesthetic suite. GA services are provided by Dr. Brian Chanpong who is a trained dental anesthesiologist. Dr. Chanpong received his dental degree from the University of Southern California and his degree in dental anesthesiology from the University of Toronto. GA is mainly available to children three years of age and older and select adult cases provided they meet health requirements for care in an out of hospital setting.
General Anesthesia - Frequently Asked Questions
What is General Anesthesia?
General anesthesia is a type of anesthesia where you are put in deep sleep. It is the most common type of anesthesia. It is also known as "being put under", "put to sleep", and "completely out".
Will I be completely asleep?
Yes. During the delivery of a general anesthetic the patient is rendered unconscious by various medications that depress the central nervous system thus making them insensible to painful surgical stimulation and depressing the bodies’ vital reflexes. This is in contrast to other types of anesthetics where the patient may be only sedated and can be aroused during the course of the surgery if necessary, this is often referred to as sedation.
Will I have a tube put in my throat?
Yes. The anesthetics that render the patient unconscious also inhibit the patient from breathing adequately. The anesthesiologist must assist the patients breathing during the course of the surgery. This is most often accomplished by placing a small breathing tube (endotracheal tube or Laryngeal Mask Airway-LMA) into the windpipe (trachea) after the patient is anesthetized. The endotracheal tube or LMA is most often removed while the patient is waking up and therefore most patients do not have any recollection of this event.
What are the effects of general anesthesia?
Minor side effects from general anesthesia and surgery are common. These include nausea, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, or generalized "hang-over" type feeling. Fortunately these are most often not serious and resolve on their own in hours or a few days after surgery. Rarely are these side effects severe enough to require specific treatment or possibly further hospitalization.
Will the anesthesiologist stay with me the entire surgery?
Yes, Because of the possibility for rapid changes in the anesthetized patient a qualified anesthesiologist will be continuously present to monitor the patient and provide anesthesia care.
Will I need an IV?
Yes. The intravenous line is the means by which the anesthesiologist can deliver medications and fluids necessary to safely perform the anesthetic. Post-operatively the IV line is maintained to continue fluids and deliver pain medications as necessary. Some children having very minor surgery may not need IV.
Can I drive home after my surgery?
No. Even though many patients will fell quite awake and unaffected by the anesthetics after the surgery, the body’s reflexes will continue to be influenced for a minimum of 24 hours. Therefore it is mandatory the patient not drive or operate heavy machinery for a minimum of 24 hours.
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Sedation Services
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