General anaesthetic for dental work?

I got an emergency appointment this afternoon because the toothache was just getting worse. I was SOOOOOOOOO scared going, but I was in so much pain I just had to.





I ended up having to get the tooth pulled because it was so badly decayed, but it feels so much better now, I'm glad it's gone.





I need a lot more work done to my teeth though, I have a lot more cavities, so I need a LOT of fillings, but none of the others are as bad as the one that I got pulled today thank goodness.





Given my phobia of dentists, would I be better to get everything done at once under general anaesthetic? Has anyone had extensive work done under general and would you recommend it? I'm looking at needing about 12 fillings done I think, a few are large but most are quite small. And I need major cleaning work done as well which I've heard can be uncomfortable.

General anaesthetic for dental work?
First of all, well done you for going!!! That's the first step in overcoming your fear. I totally understand where you're coming from, I'm scared of dentists too and hadn't been for 10 years, then was forced to go because of toothache. Like you, I found out I need a lot of work done, 9 fillings and all my wisdom teeth extracted because of decay. I found that out 2 months ago, and haven't done anything about it because I'm too scared. But now I'm starting to get problems with one of my teeth and it looks like I'm going to need a root canal.





So I understand your fear, but things WILL get worse if you leave them. Maybe consider sedation dentistry rather than GA? That's what I'm going to look into. Good luck.
Reply:just get a few shots of novacaine in your gums.. you dont need sleeping gas or anything like that
Reply:No, general anaesthetic is a bad idea unless it's really needed. Topical anaesthetic--the little injection--is less dangerous, because with general anaesthetic there's always the chance that you won't come out of it. I suggest you wear a blindfold though, that might help.
Reply:First of all, you should discuss this with your dentist.





But general anesthesia has far greater risks of complications than sedation or twilight sleep. It is usually only advised for patients who cannot be made to cooperate under any circumstance (babies, the mentally ill and the developmentally disabled). If you are a mature adult, you should be able to cooperate enough to make general anesthesia unnecessary. And that's a good thing. You wouldn't want to go into cardiac arrest for some plaque.
Reply:Ask your dentist. 12 fillings is a lot of work, and if you are getting local anesthesia (shots), it should take more than one visit. So, if it's something you really want done, ask him and he can tell you your options. If you haven't had your teeth cleaned in a while, which I assume you haven't since you said you need major cleaning, you can also be numbed for that too. If you were under general anesthesia, they can also do the cleaning while you are under. However, general anesthesia has a lot more risks. Usually healthy adults are not put to sleep for fillings and a cleaning.
Reply:No, I would not go for general anaesthesia for dental work. Usually, when somebody has a major operation, it is the general anaesthesia that is the hardest thing your body has to endure, not the surgery. So avoiding anaesthesia is the way to go.





I have had so many dental procedures over the years, everything from root canals, gum grafting, implants, orthodontic work, orthodontic surgery, etc. and I have only ever had novacaine as anaesthetic. I also have a dental phobia, believe it or not! (That's probably why!) Anyway, even the novacaine injection does not have to hurt anymore as there is a gel that the dentist can apply to the gums first prior to injecting the novacaine. And, if you are nervous, and are going to have a fair bit of work done, let the dentist know how you feel. That helps a lot if he knows. Also ask him if it would be OK for you to take your MP3 player or whatever, and play your favourite music while he is working. He might even prescribe a very mild tranquilizer prior to the procedure.





There is some great info at the first site below and the second site provides more info on the dangers of general anaesthesia. Hope that helps!
Reply:Dentistry isn't that bad, at least it shouldn't be. Find a dentist that family or friends highly recommend. Getting put to sleep to have your work done will not help you get over your fear. If you are that nervous about dental work, find a dentist who will sedate you with some medication %26amp; if they are a good dentist, you will start to feel more %26amp; more comfortable with dentistry to the point where maybe you won't need to be sedated. I recommend that you take a CD player or something that play music while you are getting your work done, or even better, find a dentist who has it so you can watch TV/Movies/Concerts while you are there....it makes a big difference if you have something to distract yourself. Good luck!!
Reply:NO, What you need is a terrific dentist that takes their time with you but can accomplish alot of the work in 1-2 visits and I have just the place for you he is AWESOME! www.lafrom.com, lok into the website if you are in the area he is great and no pain involved!! He has had people even all the way from the UK to have their teeth done by him. hope this helps good luck!
Reply:Hello, i also have a terrible fear of the dentist and my teeth are really bad as well. I have to force myself to go soon and i am going to ask for general anesthesia, because i had 2 emergency c-sections under general and i know theres no way i could have handled it awake... i know a c-section is diffrent from your teeth but my experience with general anesthesia was good.
Reply:I would recommend avoiding general anesthesia, it carries so many risks. You could get your work done in like two appointments, right side/left side. If you need the "deep cleaning" they should also numb you for this. My patients tend to sit in the hygienist's chair, I numb them, she does her job then they are moved to my chair where I restore the same areas she was cleaning. It mimimzes appointments and infjections. Ask your dentist about this. Not all dentists have hospital privelages to do your work under general and I would not have it done outside of a hospital setting..period.

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