Special Precautions When Taking General Anesthetics for a Dental Procedure

General anesthesia in Plano is a type of anesthesia that puts you to sleep and prevents you from feeling pain. It's commonly used during dental procedures because it allows your dentist to perform dental work without your discomfort being a distraction.  

While general anesthesia effectively reduces your pain level during dental treatments, there are also special precautions that dentists have to take to minimize the chances of side effects occurring. This article will discuss some of those precautions, as well as the reasons why they're necessary.

Special Cases Requiring Extra Care with General Anesthesia  

Pregnancy

Using anesthesia in pregnant women may result in the child being born with a difficult birth and possible complications. This includes a baby who has difficulty breathing, has low blood pressure, or is not feeding properly. This may lead to brain damage or even death, so the risks have to be considered.  

A pregnant patient may also suffer from an allergic reaction to general anesthesia. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that pregnant women do not receive general anesthesia until the second trimester.

If a pregnant patient must receive general anesthesia during the first trimester, the dentist should take specific precautions to ensure that the mother is properly monitored.  

People with Disabilities

Because some people with disabilities have difficulty communicating or cognitive ability, it may be difficult or impossible to adequately communicate risks and benefits. Additionally, these individuals may also have trouble following and understanding instructions related to the procedure.

This may lead to confusion and possible injury during dental work. Therefore, dentists must know how to communicate properly. General anesthesia should be used only when medically necessary.  

If possible, dentists should take special precautions and discuss the risks and benefits with the patient and their families.

Older People

People over 65 may be more likely to experience confusion, injury, or other complications. Thus, general anesthesia should be used with special caution and consideration in older patients.  

Dentists have to be careful with elderly patients for various reasons, including the fact that their memory, coordination, and sensory abilities may be impaired. The elderly may also have difficulty breathing and swallowing, leading to aspiration and choking.  

Those with Liver, Lung, Kidney, or Heart Problems

Dentists should ensure that the patient is monitored closely to avoid the risk of complications. They should also be careful when working with these patients, as they may experience complications such as low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and difficulty breathing.  

Certain Neurologic Conditions

Due to the risk of injury to the brain, dentists must be careful when working with patients who have some neurologic conditions. This includes conditions such as epilepsy, stroke, and others. The patient may experience a seizure or stroke, during the surgery, leading to injury. These patients may also be at higher risk for respiratory and cardiac complications.  

Because of these possible complications, dentists must consider the consequences of general anesthesia. If possible, they should use it only when necessary and should have specific precautions to ensure the safety of patients with these conditions.

Other Conditions

People with diabetes, high blood pressure, or other cardiovascular problems may be at risk of complications if general anesthesia is used. Dentists need to know what to look for in patients with these conditions, including the signs of reactions to the anesthetic. If a reaction occurs, the dentist should stop the procedure, contact medical staff, and monitor the patient closely.  

This is particularly important in certain situations, such as when the patient is receiving extensive dental work for the first time. If there is any reason for complications, dentists should use general anesthesia cautiously. General anesthesia should be reserved when medically required and should be used only in certain situations, such as complex surgical procedures.  

Dental procedures may be safer using conscious sedation. They may also be safer using local anesthetics. While there are some mild side effects that can happen due to local anesthetics, it is usually a much safer option. Dentists should discuss all the risks with their patients and may want to use local anesthetics when the risks and benefits are in their favor.

Learn More About General Anesthesia in Plano Before Your Treatment

General anesthesia is a great tool for many patients. However, it may not be for everyone. At Texas Oral Surgery Group, our dentists thoroughly understand the risks of these anesthetics and will patiently discuss everything with you. Call us today to learn more! We are always ready to answer any questions or concerns you may have.