Severe dental anxiety or difficulty tolerating treatment should not prevent you from receiving necessary care. Our office provides sedation dentistry using general anesthesia for appropriately selected patients who need help completing dental treatment comfortably.
An anesthesiologist administers and monitors the general anesthesia while Dr. Greg Herd completes the planned dental procedures. This coordinated approach may be considered for patients with significant dental fear, difficulty undergoing conventional care or extensive treatment needs.
Talk with our team about a more comfortable approach to dental care. Call 949-858-5147 or schedule a sedation dentistry consultation in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients undergo dental treatment when fear, anxiety or other circumstances make conventional care difficult. The level of sedation can vary between practices and treatment situations.
At our office, sedation dentistry refers to dental procedures completed while the patient is under general anesthesia. The patient remains unconscious during treatment while an anesthesiologist manages the anesthesia and monitors vital signs.
General anesthesia is different from lighter forms of dental sedation that leave the patient awake and responsive. A consultation and health review are required before determining whether it is appropriate for you.
Who May Benefit From Sedation Dentistry?
General anesthesia is not necessary for every patient or dental procedure. It may be considered when anxiety, difficulty tolerating treatment or the extent of the required care makes a traditional dental appointment challenging.
Sedation dentistry may be appropriate for patients who:
- Experience severe dental anxiety or fear
- Have postponed necessary care because of dental phobia
- Have difficulty tolerating conventional dental treatment
- Need multiple or extensive dental procedures
- Have previously been unable to complete recommended care
Your dental needs, medical history, medications and overall health must be reviewed before treatment under general anesthesia can be scheduled.
How General Anesthesia Dentistry Works
General anesthesia allows the patient to remain unconscious while dental treatment is completed. An anesthesiologist administers the anesthesia and remains responsible for monitoring the patient throughout the procedure.
While the anesthesia provider focuses on breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and the patient’s response to anesthesia, Dr. Greg Herd completes the dental treatment included in the agreed-upon plan.
Many patients remember little or none of the treatment itself. Recovery experiences vary, so every patient must follow the specific preparation and aftercare instructions provided by the dental and anesthesia teams.
What to Expect Before Your Appointment
Consultation and Treatment Planning
Your first step is a consultation with our team. Dr. Greg Herd will evaluate your dental needs, discuss the procedures being considered and explain why sedation dentistry may be beneficial.
Before treatment, the team will review information such as:
- Your current health and medical history
- Prescription and nonprescription medications
- Known allergies
- Previous reactions to anesthesia
- Past surgeries and anesthesia experiences
- Recent illnesses or changes in your health
Preoperative Instructions
You will receive individualized instructions regarding eating, drinking and medications before your appointment. These instructions must be followed carefully. Treatment may need to be postponed if the preparation requirements are not followed.
Transportation and Support
A responsible adult must bring you to the appointment, drive you home and remain available to assist you afterward. You will not be able to drive following general anesthesia.
What Happens During Sedation Dentistry?
On the day of treatment, the dental and anesthesia teams will review the planned procedures, your health information and whether the preoperative instructions were followed.
The anesthesiologist will administer the general anesthesia and continuously monitor your:
- Breathing
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Response to the anesthesia
Once you are appropriately anesthetized, Dr. Greg Herd will complete the planned dental treatment. The amount of care completed depends on your treatment plan, health and the anticipated length of the appointment.
Completing Multiple Dental Procedures
For some patients, treatment under general anesthesia may make it possible to address several dental needs during one coordinated appointment. This can be helpful when extensive care has been delayed because of severe anxiety or difficulty tolerating dental procedures.
The exact services included will be determined before the appointment. Dr. Greg Herd will explain:
- Which procedures are recommended
- What is expected to be completed during the appointment
- Whether treatment priorities need to be established
- Whether additional visits may still be required
You can learn more about the preventive and restorative services available at our office on our general dentistry page.
Recovery After General Anesthesia
After treatment, you will be monitored as you begin recovering from the anesthesia. The dental and anesthesia teams will determine when you are ready to leave with your responsible adult.
You may feel tired, groggy or less coordinated for a period after the procedure. Follow all instructions regarding rest, eating, drinking, medications and activity.
For your safety:
- Do not drive or operate machinery.
- Have a responsible adult remain available to assist you.
- Take medications only as directed.
- Follow the provided eating and drinking instructions.
- Contact the office if you have questions or unexpected symptoms.
Safety and Personalized Sedation Planning
General anesthesia requires careful preparation, professional administration and continuous monitoring. The decision to use it is made only after reviewing the patient’s health, dental needs and ability to safely undergo the planned treatment.
The anesthesiologist remains focused on administering and monitoring the anesthesia throughout the procedure. Dr. Greg Herd remains focused on completing the dental treatment according to the established plan.
Our team will make sure you understand the preparation requirements, transportation arrangements and recovery instructions before your appointment.
Sedation Dentistry Near Rancho Santa Margarita
Our office provides sedation dentistry for patients in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, and surrounding communities, including Ladera Ranch, Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Trabuco Canyon, Coto de Caza, Dove Canyon and Las Flores.
If severe dental anxiety or difficulty tolerating treatment has kept you from addressing your oral health, schedule a consultation to discuss whether general anesthesia may be an appropriate option.
Take the first step toward receiving the care you need. Call 949-858-5147 to speak with our dental team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry
What type of sedation dentistry do you provide?
Our office provides dental treatment under general anesthesia for appropriately selected patients. An anesthesiologist administers and monitors the anesthesia while Dr. Greg Herd completes the planned dental procedures.
Who may benefit from sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry with general anesthesia may be considered for patients with severe dental anxiety, difficulty tolerating conventional treatment or extensive dental needs. A consultation is required to determine whether it is appropriate.
Who administers and monitors the general anesthesia?
An anesthesiologist administers the general anesthesia and monitors your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure throughout treatment while Dr. Greg Herd completes the planned procedures.
How should I prepare for sedation dentistry?
You will receive individualized instructions regarding eating, drinking and medications before your appointment. Follow these directions carefully and arrange for a responsible adult to provide transportation and assistance afterward.
Can I drive after dental treatment under general anesthesia?
No. You must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and assist you after treatment. The dental and anesthesia teams will provide specific recovery instructions.
Do you provide sedation dentistry near Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
Our office provides sedation dentistry for patients in Rancho Santa Margarita and surrounding communities, including Ladera Ranch, Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Trabuco Canyon, Coto de Caza, Dove Canyon and Las Flores.
Schedule a Sedation Dentistry Consultation
Sedation dentistry may help appropriately selected patients receive needed dental treatment despite severe anxiety or difficulty tolerating conventional care. A consultation allows our team to review your needs, explain the general anesthesia process and determine the appropriate next step.
Call 949-858-5147 or contact our office to schedule a sedation dentistry consultation in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.