General anesthetic renders patients completely unconscious during surgery, including oral and maxillofacial surgeries. Its use eases the stress of patients facing complex procedures. Though general anesthetic is not without its side effects, it is safe and effective if administered carefully by a trained professional.
Northside Minnesota Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons offers general anesthetic in Coon Rapids and the surrounding area. Anxiety about surgery should never prevent you from getting the care you need. Call (763) 284-3159 today for more information or the schedule an appointment.
General anesthetic uses a combination of medicines to put the patient into an unconscious state where they are unable to move or feel pain. While under general anesthetic, the patient will be completely unaware of what is going on around them and will have no recollection of the procedure when they come out. In common language, the use of general anesthetic is often referred to as "going under."
This medicine is usually administered through a mask or an IV drip. General anesthetic is known to stop nerves from delivering signals to the brain.
Practitioners may recommend general anesthetic for a variety of reasons ranging from procedure complexity to patient comfort. If a procedure will take a few hours or more, a general anesthetic is usually recommended. Procedures that affect a person's breathing or involve significant blood loss will typically call for a general anesthetic as well.
In dental treatment, it is commonly used to facilitate treatment in persons with significant dental anxiety or patients with challenging behaviors such as children and those with special needs. A general anesthetic is also relied upon for those undergoing complex or multiple maxillofacial procedures. Ultimately, the decision to use a general anesthetic is made by our team and the patient based on each patient's personal circumstances.
For the most part, side effects are minor and do not tend to last long after the general anesthetic wears off. In addition, not everyone will experience them, and some people will experience none at all. Typical side effects include:
Not all of these side effects are a result of the medication itself. Also, some are more common in individuals of certain ages or with certain medical conditions. Our team will discuss side effects with each patient and offer advice on how to reduce and manage them.
There are risks associated with general anesthetic and some serious. However, any major complications are highly unlikely, and our team is well prepared to deal with them. Those who smoke, are overweight, heavy alcohol users, or have certain medical conditions are at higher risk.
In order to avoid or minimize the risk of complications and determine the correct type and level of medication to use, the patient receives a thorough medical exam. Here is where our team checks for any factors that would increase a patient's risk of complications. Patients need to make our team aware of any medical conditions, implants, medical appliances, or allergies they have, along with any medications they are taking.
Each patient will be given detailed instructions on how to prepare to go under a general anesthetic. Because this medication relaxes digestive muscles allowing for the potential of food from the stomach getting into the lungs. We tell patients not to eat and drink nothing but water starting eight hours before the surgery. Patients should show up for surgery wearing no makeup or jewelry.
The general anesthetic will be administered before the procedure either through an IV or inhaled through a face mask. The patient should fall asleep very quickly. A tube may be placed in the patient's throat to aid in breathing. Our team will carefully monitor vital signs throughout the whole process.
Once the procedure is over, our team will continue to monitor the patient as they return to consciousness. The patient may feel groggy and have some discomfort from the procedure as the medication wears off. However, our team will make every effort to make sure the patient remains comfortable. The patient will need to arrange a ride home after the procedure.
Tooth Extraction Under IV Sedation in Coon Rapids & Minneapolis works by placing the patient into an unconscious state through an IV. Your vital signs will be closely monitored during this sedation. While you are unconscious, this will allow the doctor to extract your problem teeth without stress, discomfort, or pain to you.
If the thought of having your teeth extracted causes you unneeded stress, or you are worried about the potential pain of this procedure, then tooth extraction under IV Sedation might be the best option for you. To learn more about tooth extraction under IV sedation in Coon Rapids & Minneapolis, contact our office today to schedule your consultation.
Tooth Extraction Under general anesthesia in Coon Rapids & Minneapolis works by placing the patient into an unconscious state. Your vital signs will be closely monitored during this sedation. While you are unconscious, this will allow the doctor to extract your problem teeth without stress, discomfort, or pain to you.
If the thought of having your teeth extracted causes you unneeded stress, or you are worried about the potential pain of this procedure, then tooth extraction under general anesthesia might be the best option for you.
The team at Northside Minnesota Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons offers general anesthetic for surgical procedures. We proudly serve the Twin Cities, Hennepin County, and Anoka County area. Call (763) 284-3159 to schedule an appointment or learn more about general anesthetic.
Q. Can I take my regular medications before general anesthetic?
A. The doctor may have you take your regular medication before with just a small sip of water. However, it is usually better not to take anything eight hours before surgery. We will discuss this with you at the pre-surgery appointment.
Q. What drugs and supplements do I need to avoid?
A. There are certain medications and supplements you may need to stop taking a week or more before your procedure. These include drugs and supplements that increase bleeding, such as aspirin, blood thinners, St. John's wort, and ginkgo biloba. We will discuss further details with you when we take your health history.
Q. How long will it take for the general anesthetic to wear off?
A. The answer to this is slightly different for everyone. For the most part, people are groggy but awake when first coming out of general anesthesia. Most people do not feel any effects after 24 hours. However, it can take the body up to a week to eliminate the medication completely.
Q. What should I do during the initial recovery period?
A. People should avoid driving the first 24 hours after coming out of a general anesthetic. We typically suggest people have someone with them during this initial period as you may feel sleepy, have slow reflexes, and have impaired judgment. Patients should stick to clear liquids and soft foods for the first 24 hours.
Q. What should I avoid right after coming out of a general anesthetic?
A. We will give you detailed aftercare instructions to follow at home. Besides driving or operating heavy machinery, you should avoid strenuous activity. Patents are also advised to avoid alcohol and not to smoke.
Northside Minnesota Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons is located at 11441 Osage St NW Ste 3 Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
