FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Statistics show that receiving anesthesia has become safer and more effective than in the past.  Due to advances in both medical science and technology, medical professionals are able to monitor patients more closely and promptly respond to the patients' needs during the procedures.  It's normal to be apprehensive prior to receiving anesthesia, especially since you rarely undergo that experience.  Dentist anesthesiologists have received years of training dedicated solely to the delivery of anesthesia and have an excellent record of safety in the dental office.  Not all dental providers who deliver anesthesia have the same background education, experience, and training.  It is important to know what qualifications your anesthesia provider has.  Throughout he procedure we closely monitor the patient's blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate, ECG (heart rhythm), temperature, and end tidal carbon dioxide (as necessary).  These are the same parameters used in the hospital environment and ensure that the patients can be properly cared for during the course of treatment.

In addition to local anesthesia (numbing of the nerves that lead to your teeth and gums) which you traditionally receive from your dentist, some other techniques will be utilized:
     1. P.O Sedation (taking a pill or drinking a sedative)
     2. Inhalational Anesthesia (nitrous oxide, commonly called "laughing gas" or another agent thru a mask)
     3. Intravenous (I.V.) Sedation
     4. General Anesthesia (with or without a breathing tube)
Your anesthetic will be tailored to your individual needs and will most likely include a combination of the techniques listed above.

Prior to your procedure, you will be personally contacted by Dr. Ta to review your medical history so that your anesthetic needs can be determined.  You will be asked to complete a series of medical forms and will have ample opportunity to ask questions regarding your care.  In certain cases you may be asked to see your physician for a consultation regarding specific aspects of your health.  All of this information will be used to formulate the best anesthetic plan for both you and your dentist.  On the day of your procedure, you will be asked to arrive early to review any changes in your health.  Depending on your case you may be asked to take an oral sedative at this time.  Once you are in the dental chair, the monitoring equipment will be applied.

Once you begin to recover from anesthesia, you will most likely still be sleepy.  While you are regaining consciousness, your vital signs will continue to be closely monitored.  The dentist anesthesiologist will remain with you during this post-operative period, and any other medical needs (pain, nausea, etc.) that arise will be taken care of.  Only when you have returned to the baseline will you be discharged to the care of your escort.

PRE/POST ANESTHETIC INSTRUCTIONS

If you or your child are planning to undergo dental treatment under sedation or general anesthesia, please carefully review the Pre/Post Anesthetic instructions under the "Forms/Appointment Deposit" tab to help ensure a safe anesthetic experience. If you are a parent/guardian, you are responsible for ensuring that your child strictly adheres to these instructions.  Please complete the appropriate medical history form along with the anesthesia consent. 

All patients must have an escort the day of treatment.

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