Hi, I’m Dr Fong, the founder and principal dentist here at Dental House Group in Melbourne.
Last Monday, we saw a new patient, Tom from Caroline Springs. Tom needed quite a bit of dental work done but he has a fear of dentists because of an experience he had in the past.
We explained to him that general anaesthetic might be a good solution for him. After understanding how it works, he felt a lot more comfortable and scheduled in his treatment.
This got me thinking, there are so many people who are held back by dental phobia, and if they understood general anaesthetic in dentistry, they would feel a lot more at ease in going ahead with their treatment, so I decided to make a quick video about it.
Before we talk about general anaesthetics, I would first like to mention that if you have dental problems, it is important to get them treated as quickly as possible. That’s because small problems can quickly become large problems, which will create more pain and discomfort and even cost more to treat.
Ignoring dental problems can even lead to tooth loss, leaving you to either live with it or have your teeth replaced. Eating without teeth can be painful and not replacing the teeth can cause your other teeth to move out of place. So getting dental issues resolved as quickly as possible will save you a lot of discomfort, time and money.
Now, If you have dental problems and need work done, sleep dentistry or general anaesthetic is a solution that can help you get through it a lot more comfortably. General anaesthetic helps make a patient unconscious before the treatment begins. This is beneficial for the patient because it removes the fear and stress they feel during the dental treatment. It also helps the dentist complete the entire procedure feeling a lot less stressful, knowing that the patient is relaxed and comfortable.
From a dentist standpoint, when the patient is relaxed and still, we can perform the surgery a lot more efficiently and safely, especially procedures like All On 4 Plus® implants.
You may be wondering if you are a candidate for general anaesthetics. Since this solution is not for everyone, we do a thorough examination and check your health history for existing allergies and other health conditions that may cause concern. Patients who are sick, have heart or lung issues or those who are pregnant are usually not candidates for this solution.
If you are a suitable candidate for general anaesthetic, the appropriate medication and amount will be used for your unique body. You will be monitored by a specialist during the entire treatment so that you are safe.
You should know that many patients do not require general anaesthetic for dental procedures. That’s because with today’s technology and advancements in dentistry, as well as our unique gentle approach here at Dental House, there is often very little discomfort during treatments.
Local anaesthetic, oral sedation or happy gas are usually more than sufficient to help a patient relax, even those with extreme fears.
With that being said, the best thing to do is come in and talk to us if you are considering general anaesthetic to help you with dental treatments.
Simply give us a call on +61 3 8798 9798, fill in the form on our website, or DM us on social media, and our friendly team will help you organise your consultation.
