FAQs
+ How does it all work?
Your dentist has determined that you could benefit from sedation for your next dental procedure. You’ll fill out a form on our website and a physician anesthesiologist will get in touch with you. We’ll go over all your medical information (medical history, allergies, and any other relevant medical condition) so that we can create a personalized sedation plan.
A few days prior to your dental appointment, we’ll walk you through how the sedation will work and give you thorough instructions on how to prepare for the procedure. We’ll also answer any questions you may have.
On the day of your appointment, your physician anesthesiologist will perform a brief physical exam to make sure you’re ready for the procedure.
+ Will a doctor be caring for the patient while under anesthesia?
Yes, a board certified physician anesthesiologist will be monitoring the patient’s safety and comfort at all times during anesthesia so that the dentist or surgeon can focus exclusively on the patient’s dental work. For children undergoing office-based anesthesia, having an anesthesiologist with significant pediatric experience is also recommended (all of our physician anesthesiologist are pediatric fellowship trained).
+ What is ambulatory anesthesia?
Ambulatory anesthesia (aka in-office or office-based anesthesia) is a form of mobile anesthesia that has become more and more common and is currently the fastest growing subspecialty of anesthesiology. With advances in technology, the invention of smaller, mobile monitoring devices and refined anesthetic techniques, select procedures can be performed in the comfort and convenience of your local dentist’s office.
+ What are some of the advantages of using office-based anesthesia?
• Patients experience a higher level of comfort and convenience by having procedures performed in a place they are already familiar
• Reduced wait times compared to booking a procedure at a surgery center or hospital.
• Individualized one-on-one anesthesia care provided by a physician anesthesiologists.
• The Potential cost savings compared to surgery centers or hospitals that charge hefty facility fees
+ Am I a candidate for office-based anesthesia?
Not everyone is a candidate for office-based. Patients have to be medically and physically suitable for receiving anesthesia and surgical care in the office. This will be determined by our physician anesthesiologist reviewing your medical history forms as well as scheduling a call with you to answer any questions they may have or that you might have. Additionally, our anesthesiologist may request that you receive medical clearance from your pediatrician, primary care physician or other specialists in coordination with your procedure if necessary.
+ What is anesthesia and what kind will I receive?
General anesthesia is a mix of medications that quickly place a patient into a unconscious state. Under general anesthesia, pain and reflexes are temporarily turned off in the brain and a breathing tube may be inserted into the back of the throat to maintain an open airway. Anesthesia can range from light sedation (minimal) to general anesthesia (completely asleep).
The type of anesthesia that you will receive is individual to you and will depend on your medical history as well as the type of procedure you’re having. Prior to the procedure, your anesthesiologist will discuss the anesthetic plan with you and will answer any questions that you may have.
+ Why is general anesthesia recommended?
General anesthesia allows extensive work to be done during one appointment instead of having several sessions. This can save the patient time, money and anxiety by combining multiple appointments into one. Some patients are simply too young, fearful or uncooperative to tolerate dental work while awake, or for multiple sessions. General anesthesia ensures cooperation while minimizing fear and maximizing safety.
+ Why is it important to arrive on time?
Arriving on time means that you can check-in and register without being rushed. It also includes time for possible pre-medication if necessary. This will also give you time to ask questions of your dentist, surgeon, and anesthesiologist. We encourage you to arrive 10-15 minutes early if possible.
+ Is general anesthesia safe?
Yes, anesthesia is very safe. We use the exact same sedation and monitoring equipment that you would find in a hospital. We also conduct full medical history screening prior to the procedure to tailor a sedation plan specifically to you or your child. You’ll have a highly trained board-certified physician anesthesiologist dedicated to you and your care before, during, and after the procedure..
Complications relating from anesthesia are rare, and can usually be brought under control quickly. Most risks are closely related to a patient’s physical health, rather than the anesthesia. This is why the anesthesiologist reviews your medical history and conducts a phone consultation with you. It is important for the patient or guardian to discuss any health history, medications, drug allergies, and past anesthesia experiences. It is also of utmost importance to mention any recent illnesses including coughs, colds, upper respiratory infections, asthma attacks, vomiting, fevers or recent hospitalizations.
+ What rules do I need to follow in order to receive anesthesia?
In order to receive anesthesia, you must agree to our pre-op and post-op instructions. Please see our pre-op and post-op instructions for more details on what to avoid after your procedure. [LINK] The risks associated with anesthesia can also be decreased by providing thorough information regarding your past medical history, abiding by preoperative fasting instructions, and continuing medications unless instructed by your anesthesiologist or surgeon to do otherwise. Also ensure that any chronic illnesses are being optimally treated.
+ Why can’t I eat or drink 8 hours before anesthesia?
Eating and drinking before anesthesia greatly increases the odds of vomiting while under anesthesia which can obstruct the patient’s airway leading to suffocation or cause a life-threatening aspiration pneumonia. Surgery may be cancelled or need to be rescheduled if the patient has consumed anything within 8 hours of scheduled surgery time.
+ Can I have a little snack or drink before my procedure?
No! You cannot consume any foods or liquids 8 hours prior to your procedure. Even something as small as chewing gum or eating a piece of candy increases the odds of aspiration or vomiting during surgery. You MUST tell the anesthesiologist about everything you have consumed within 8 hours of surgery, even if it’s one m&m.
+ Can I remain with my child during the procedure?
While we understand your desire to be with your child during the actual procedure, , you will need to remain in the waiting area. Our primary focus during any procedure is safety and providing the highest quality care. This is best guaranteed when we are free to focus solely on monitoring our patients with our undivided attention.
+ Does anesthesia take effect quickly?
Yes. The medicines used are very fast acting. To the patient, the anesthesia process will seem instantaneous and they will have no memory of anything that happened while under anesthesia.
+ How long does anesthesia take to wear off?
Typically the grogginess from anesthesia medications wears off within one hour of the surgery ending. However every patient is unique. Deep breaths are encouraged and with every exhale, the patient’s alertness gradually returns. If the patient is of age, NO driving, operating heavy machinery, contact sports, or major life decisions should occur on the day of general anesthesia.
+ After the procedure, how quickly can we head home?
Once our anesthesiologist has determined that it is safe and that the patient feels comfortable, you will be allowed to leave the dentist’s office and travel home. All patients receiving anesthesia will need a ride home by an adult (18 years or older). Being drowsy and a bit fussy is not uncommon after your procedure (especially for pediatric patients), and some patients may feel nauseous.
For the remainder of the day, we recommend you refrain from performing any activities that might necessitate high degrees of balance, coordination, or mental alertness that might impact on the safety of you or your loved one. Please see our post-op instructions for more details on what to avoid after your procedure. [LINK]
+ When can I eat or drink after having anesthesia?
Most patients are able to start eating and drinking when they return home or feel like they want to. If the patient is nauseous or not hungry, it may be better to wait an hour to let the stomach settle before eating or drinking. Local anesthetic in the mouth can often last an entire day so we suggest that you avoid hot beverages and chew carefully.
+ Is office-based anesthesia very expensive?
Compared to having a procedure at a surgery center or hospital, the cost of office-based anesthesia is often cheaper.
+ How much does anesthesia cost?
All procedures require a $300 deposit at the time of booking to secure you appointment. Our anesthesia fees are based on the total time of your procedure. That is, from the time the anesthesiologist starts your procedure to the time you are discharged. Please contact us with your dental treatment time and we can provide you with an estimated anesthesia cost. All anesthesia costs will be processed through our and are separate from your local dentist’s office.
+ Does my insurance cover the cost?
We are a fee-for-service practice (aka an out-of-network provider). That means, you will need to pay upfront the anesthesia costs. We recommend that you check with your insurance provider whether the cost can be reimbursed. For those who may have a hard time with the upfront cost burden, we have partnered with CareCredit to offer a variety of payment options to help make our services more accessible. Please contact us to discuss payment options via CareCredit.
