Oral Surgery in the hospital with general anesthesia.

Benefits of oral surgery with general anesthesia in a hospital setting

Dentistry has evolved at giants steps since it started. From a lonely chair in a barbershop to entire operating rooms inside a hospital environment, dentistry has become a fundamental part of people’s oral and general health.

However, some circumstances require other measures and attention than a conventional dental office. This is where a controlled and specialized environment such as hospital dentistry settings comes in place.

Here in Raleigh Hospital, NC, we take the best from the professionals, equipment, and facilities to guarantee safe, controlled, and fast dental procedures for our patients.

Stay with us to learn more about what we offer and how it can be your solution.

What is general anesthesia?

General anesthesia is a sedative technique that allows painless and unconscious treatment procedures. Unlike local anesthesia, where you are awake and responsive, general anesthesia is performed in a sleepy state. This technique requires using medication through a mask (using gas) or by intravenous route.

When is general anesthesia needed?

In dentistry, general anesthesia has been tremendously helpful with determinate situations, such as:

· Non-cooperative or too young children

· Patients with special needs or disabilities

· Children and adults with severe medical problems

· Patients with severe anxiety, dental care fear, or needle phobias

· Complex oral and maxillofacial surgeries

· Vulnerable or high-risk patients that require surgery

· The need to perform multiple teeth extractions or surgical procedures in one session

Independently of its reasons, using general anesthesia is a valuable resource that decreases the risk of complications and infections, especially with vulnerable patients. Furthermore, it also increases the efficiency of any dental procedure. However, this alternative should always be sustained by professional criteria and only in specific situations.

Also, you should consider having a general anesthesia process if you have a complex systemic illness, disability, or unusual condition that requires a controlled hospital environment.

The advantages of general anesthesia in teeth extraction procedures

Despite being a frequent and safe dental procedure, teeth extractions can require the assistance of general anesthesia. During a multiple tooth extraction procedure, the surgeon can require complete cooperation to achieve the best results. Moreover, general anesthesia has the following advantages in this procedure:

· It eliminates the pain, discomfort, and complications derivated from the problem

· The extractions are done in a controlled operating room, ready to face any complication

· Medicaid insurance covers the entire procedure inside the hospital facilities, including the recovery period

· The whole procedure goes inadvertent and painless, with minor discomfort

· The procedure is carried out with an entire professional team that includes dental surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and, sometimes, physicians

Recommendations for your teeth extraction procedure in a hospital facility

Like any other surgical procedure, you will require time to heal. Therefore, remember to rest as long as your surgeon indicates, and make sure to follow all the postoperative indications. Moreover, avoid the following:

· Smoking and drinking,

· Eating hard and small foods,

· Making physical efforts, and

· Spitting.

REFERENCES:

Ananthanarayan, C., Sigal, M., & Godlewski, W. (1998). General anesthesia for the provision of dental treatment to adults with developmental disability. Anesthesia Progress.

Hutchinson, S. (2020). General anaesthesia for dentistry. In Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpaic.2020.06.009

Lim, M. A. W. T., & Borromeo, G. L. (2017). The use of general anesthesia to facilitate dental treatment in adult patients with special needs. Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. https://doi.org/10.17245/jdapm.2017.17.2.91

Loyola-Rodriguez, J. P., Aguilera-Morelos, A. A., Santos-Diaz, M. A., Zavala-Alonso, V., Davila-Perez, C., Olvera-Delgado, H., Patiño-Marin, N., & De Leon-Cobian, I. (2004). Oral rehabilitation under dental general anesthesia, conscious sedation, and conventional techniques in patients affected by cerebral palsy. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. https://doi.org/10.17796/jcpd.28.4.e103u071237388h8

Mahmood, A., Mandall, N. A., & Wright, J. (2001). The use of general anaesthesia for orthodontic extractions. Community Dental Health.

Savanheimo, N., Sundberg, S. A., Virtanen, J. I., & Vehkalahti, M. M. (2012). Dental care and treatments provided under general anaesthesia in the Helsinki Public Dental Service. BMC Oral Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6831-12-45