In-Office General Anesthesia
When a child needs to be fully asleep for treatment, an anesthesiologist comes to our office, so there is no hospital visit.
General anesthesia means your child is fully asleep for dental treatment and does not feel or remember it. At Smile Gallery, an anesthesiologist comes to our office to provide and manage the anesthesia, while Dr. Dan Truong focuses on the dental work.
Before the appointment, we review your child's health history and give you clear instructions on eating, drinking, and medications. On the day, the anesthesiologist puts your child to sleep and monitors breathing, heart rate, and oxygen throughout. Dr. Truong completes the planned treatment in one visit. Your child wakes up with you nearby and goes home once the anesthesiologist says they are ready.
For very young children, children with extensive treatment needs, children with special needs, or children too anxious for other options, general anesthesia lets all the work get done safely in one visit. Having it in our office rather than a hospital means a familiar place, a team your child already knows, and far less waiting and scheduling for your family.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about in-office general anesthesia.
Convenience and comfort. Hospital operating room time for dental care can take a long time to schedule. Here, an anesthesiologist comes to us, so your child is treated in a familiar office by the team they already know.
The anesthesiologist. Their only job during the visit is your child's anesthesia and monitoring, which leaves Dr. Truong free to focus on the dental treatment.
Usually very young children with a lot of treatment needed, children with special needs or medical complexity, and children whose anxiety makes other options unworkable. Dr. Truong will explain why it is recommended and what the alternatives are.
You will get specific instructions about when your child must stop eating and drinking, and what to do about any regular medications. Following them exactly is important for safety, so ask us if anything is unclear.
Most children are groggy for a while afterwards and need a quiet day at home with an adult. You will get written aftercare instructions and a way to reach us if anything worries you.
Coverage for anesthesia varies by plan. We work with most PPO dental plans as an out-of-network provider, and we will verify your benefits and give you an estimate before the visit.