General Anesthesia (GA) is safe and effective. Pediatric dentistry under general anesthesia is often referred to Sleep Children's dentistry or Children's Sedation Dentist. GA helps young patients with severe anxiety and aversion to the dentist's chair. In these cases, gentle sleep helps reduce anxiety and eliminate the fear, and most importantly, preserve your child's developing psychology and well-being. Your child will sleep through the procedure and have no memory of it. Their sedation is fully monitored by the Anesthesia Care Team so that all dental treatment is completed in just one visit.
INDICATIONS FOR GENERAL ANESTHESIA
Very young children - we routinely examine and treat patients, safely and comprehensively, as young as 15 months of age.
Extensive treatment needs. Unfortunately, many children suffer from Early Childhood Caries (Formally "Baby Bottle Syndrome".)
Dental caries requiring multiple office visits that are not feasible or possible (children traveling long distance).
Children with special healthcare needs and/or behavioral issues (Autism, ADHD, etc.,) who cannot be safely treated in an office.
Children who have already experienced a failed or traumatic appointments and refuse treatment in an office.
Children with severe situational anxiety, Needle-Phobic, or simply "afraid of the dentist."
Children with underlying medical conditions that preclude in-office sedation, i.e., large tonsils, high BMI, etc.
Any and all combinations of the above.
In some cases, after consultation with Dr. Joseph or Dr. Elson, along with the anesthesia team, they may recommend treating your child in a hospital setting. We work closely with Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
