| General Anesthesia
If you have general anesthesia, you are unconscious. You can't respond to sound or touch. You also can't keep your airway open. A tube is placed in your windpipe to help you breathe.
General anesthesia usually is given in a hospital. It can be done by a dentist, nurse or doctor in a dentist's office, if they are specially trained.
Many different drugs are used for general anesthesia. They can be inhaled or injected. Sometimes more than one drug is used.
Before you have general anesthesia, your dentist or surgeon will review:
- Your medical history
- The medicines you are taking
- Your allergies
- Your tobacco use history
- Past experiences with anesthesia
Your dentist might talk with your doctor before giving you general anesthesia. Some people have diseases or conditions that could make general anesthesia riskier.
Tell your dentist about any drugs or other pills you are taking. This includes:
- Drugs prescribed by your doctors
- Vitamins and other supplements
- Over-the counter drugs, such as Tylenol
- Alcohol
-
Street drugs
General anesthesia can cause serious problems if you receive it when you have been using other drugs, especially street drugs.
You will be asked to stop eating and drinking for several hours before your surgery. This is to make sure your stomach is empty during the procedure. If your stomach is not empty, food could get into your lungs. This can cause serious complications. Your surgery may be canceled if you eat or drink before the procedure.
If you will be in the hospital overnight, bring any medicines, inhalers and glucose monitors with you.
Before the surgery, you probably will have a tube inserted in a vein. Sedatives and other medicines will be given through this intravenous line.
During the surgery, doctors will watch your blood oxygen level, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and breathing. You will be monitored until you go home. You may be given pain medicine after the surgery.
Before you go home, your dentist or oral surgeon will give you instructions. Follow these carefully.
Do not drive or use any dangerous machinery for at least 24 hours after receiving general anesthesia. Someone else should drive you home. You may be drowsy, uncoordinated and unable to think clearly.
For 24 hours after surgery, your doctor may tell you to avoid:
- Alcohol
- Tranquilizers
- Over-the-counter cold medicines
- Allergy medicines
- Muscle relaxants
These drugs may interact with the drugs used for general anesthesia.
Some people feel nauseated or vomit after having general anesthesia. Other side effects may include:
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Shivering
- Sore throat, if a breathing tube is inserted
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Vision problems
- Dizziness
Most side effects should wear off within 24 hours. Minor side effects can last a few days. Contact your doctor or dentist if these side effects continue or interfere with your daily life.
The risk of serious problems with general anesthesia is very low. It's more dangerous for you to drive to your dental appointment than it is to have general anesthesia. This doesn't mean there aren't any risks. However, under controlled conditions with trained personnel, the risk of death or serious injury — such as stroke, heart attack or brain damage — is very small. About 2 deaths occur for every 1 million times general anesthesia is given.
Your risk of complications depends on many factors, including:
- Age
-
Sex
- Weight
- Allergies
- Current medical condition
- Use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs
Some drugs used in general anesthesia can cause malignant hyperthermia. This disease runs in families. Symptoms include rigid muscles and high fever. If someone in your family has this condition, tell your dentist or anesthesiologist so he or she can select medications that will be safe for you.
| 
