Good dental health and function is important to all of us. But it is particularly important during childhood and adolescence to assist in proper facial growth and development, to aid in forming good speech and eating habits, and to contribute to a pleasing appearance and smile.
Oftentimes children do not appreciate the significance of dental care and their unwillingness or inability to cooperate with the dentist makes the delivery of dental services impossible. This is not unexpected since the child is in strange surroundings and is often greeted by unfamiliar faces.
Many children may benefit from special anesthetic techniques that insure both pain and anxiety-free treatment. When IV sedation and general anesthesia is employed for your child's dental treatment; great amount of dental work can be accomplished in a single visit. During the procedure your child will be in a calm, comfortable, and easily managed state. In addition, these techniques eliminate the psychological trauma sometimes associated with repeated dental visit; thus, a more positive dental attitude results.
IV sedation and general anesthesia in a dental office is extremely safe when it is provided by an anesthesiologist with training and experience in anesthesia delivery in an office setting. Dr. Sadeghi has provided anesthesia safely without any complications to thousands of pediatric patients in dental offices for the past 20 years.
Oftentimes children do not appreciate the significance of dental care and their unwillingness or inability to cooperate with the dentist makes the delivery of dental services impossible. This is not unexpected since the child is in strange surroundings and is often greeted by unfamiliar faces.
Many children may benefit from special anesthetic techniques that insure both pain and anxiety-free treatment. When IV sedation and general anesthesia is employed for your child's dental treatment; great amount of dental work can be accomplished in a single visit. During the procedure your child will be in a calm, comfortable, and easily managed state. In addition, these techniques eliminate the psychological trauma sometimes associated with repeated dental visit; thus, a more positive dental attitude results.
IV sedation and general anesthesia in a dental office is extremely safe when it is provided by an anesthesiologist with training and experience in anesthesia delivery in an office setting. Dr. Sadeghi has provided anesthesia safely without any complications to thousands of pediatric patients in dental offices for the past 20 years.
BEFORE SURGERY
After the decision is made to proceed with dental treatment under anesthesia, the parents will be given all the necessary documents to read and prepare for the day of the surgery. Meanwhile, Dr. Sadeghi will be available to answer any questions that parents may have in regards to their child’s treatment. The day before surgery, Dr. Sadeghi will contact the parents personally for pre-op evaluation and to answer any questions.
PRE-OP INSTRUCTIONS
The following instructions will help you prepare for this procedure. FAILURE to follow these instructions could put your child at unnecessary risk and result in cancellation of the appointment.
- All foods should be stopped 8 hours before coming to the dental office, however your child can drink CLEAR LIQUIDS (clear apple juice, water) up to 3 hours before the dental appointment.
- Your child should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes with short sleeves.
- Please bring a small blanket and a spare set of clothing for your child.
- We prefer two responsible adults to be with the child at the time of discharge.
- Arrange to have the entire day off from work to be with your child, and limit his/her activities for the remainder of the day after treatment.
- Please report any change in your child's general health (e.g., cold, cough, fever, etc.) to the dental office or the anesthesiologist prior to the day of the appointment.
- You will be contacted by the anesthesiologist prior to the appointment for a preoperative evaluation of your child and to answer any questions that you may have.
DAY OF SURGERY
The anesthesia process starts with your child’s physical evaluation to ensure his/her readiness for treatment. Dr. Sadeghi will give a very small amount of medication intramuscularly just like a vaccination. The purpose of this medication is to make your child relaxed and comfortable, preparing him/her for starting an IV line later. Shortly thereafter, your child will lose awareness of being in the dental office. After the medication has fully taken effect, your child will be taken to the operating area for treatment. Dr. Sadeghi will establish an IV line and administers sedative medications through the IV line to keep your child comfortable and sleepy throughout the procedure. From this moment on, Dr. Sadeghi will be with your child every second during the treatment. Your child’s vital functions (breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, EKG, blood oxygen saturation level) will be monitored with the state of the art equipment and Dr. Sadeghi ensures the comfort and safety of your child throughout the treatment.
At the termination of the treatment, your child will be taken to a recovery area where you will be able to be with him/her. At this time, the post-op instructions will be reviewed. Recovery will take about 30-45 min. Dr. Sadeghi will continuously check your child’s condition, and when appropriate, will give the permission for discharge.
At the termination of the treatment, your child will be taken to a recovery area where you will be able to be with him/her. At this time, the post-op instructions will be reviewed. Recovery will take about 30-45 min. Dr. Sadeghi will continuously check your child’s condition, and when appropriate, will give the permission for discharge.
POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS
- You should expect your child to be drowsy for some time after he or she awakens; remain close to your child to comfort him or her.
- Children are often unsteady for several hours after anesthesia. Please do not allow your child to walk or stand without your help or support.
- Your child may have an elevated temperature after the procedure; however, the temperature should return to normal by the next day. The temperature of up to 101°F should be treated with children's Motrin, Advil, or Tylenol. Please contact Dr. Sadeghi if your child has a temperature of above 101°F for further instructions.
- Occasionally patients will be nauseated or may vomit after anesthesia on the same day of surgery. Encourage your child to drink fluids (water, clear fruit juice, soda). If your child is still nauseated or vomits the day after anesthesia, contact Dr. Sadeghi for further instructions.
- When you return home, allow your child to rest and sleep preferably on one side.
- Do not plan activities. Supervise your child for the remainder of the day.
- Limit your child's intake to clear liquids for the first few hours after the dental procedure, e.g. Popsicle, water, Jell-O, apple juice, etc. The first meal should consist of soft foods only, requiring minimal chewing. If your child is not hungry the first day, do not force him or her to eat but do encourage plenty of fluid intake.
- Do not give your child any medicine except what the doctor recommended or prescribed.
- Any unusual reaction should be reported to Dr. Sadeghi immediately. This could include but not limited to difficulty breathing, generalized body rash, severe pain or swelling at the IV site in the arm or hand.
If there is a delay and you feel your child has an emergency, take him or her to the Emergency Room.
Your child's comfort, convenience and safety are our primary concerns. Please follow these instructions to help us achieve our goals. Click here to download a printable copy of the Post instructions.