General Anesthesia

Injection or intravenous (into a vein) methods require more experience to be administered and monitored properly. Injections and intravenous medications should be used only by dentists with extensive training in these techniques.

General anesthesia puts a patient into a deep sleep. He or she is unable to feel pain or to move around. General anesthesia may be recommended if the patient:

• Can't relax or calm down enough for treatment to be performed safely, even with conscious sedation and other behavior management techniques
• Needs oral surgery or other dental treatment that would be difficult for the patient to tolerate while awake
• Needs a lot of dental work that can best be done in one long appointment rather than many shorter visits
• Has a medical, physical or emotional disability that limits his or her ability to understand directions and be treated safely as an outpatient

Some general dentists have received training and a certification in general anesthesia, while others contract with an anesthesiologist. These professionals are trained to deliver the medications and monitor patients during the procedure and handle any complications that may occur.