Introduction

If you require general anaesthesia (GA) for dental treatment, it means anaesthetic medications are used to send you to sleep. During that time, all the necessary dental procedures are carried out without you feeling pain or aware of such procedure.

Usually, you have to be admitted to the ward a day earlier for GA preparation. The procedure is carried out on the day after. If everything goes well, you may go home on the same day after the procedure is done. Otherwise, you have to stay for another night. Usually, by the third day, you may be discharged home.

Few hospitals may offer you Daycare under GA if your medical conditions are stable and well-controlled. Daycare under GA means you do not have to stay overnight. You have to be admitted very early in the morning (7.00am) on the day of GA for dental treatment and go home on the same day before 5.00 pm.

Please make sure to inform your dentist as soon as possible if you are feeling unwell such as having fever, cough and/or cold prior to GA. The dental treatment under GA will be postponed to avoid any respiratory complications.

Comprehensive Dental Treatment

Dental treatment which often called as Comprehensive Dental Treatment may include:

EUA = Examination Under               Anaesthesia An examination by which the dentist takes a look inside the mouth : teeth, gum, soft & hard tissues.
Dental radiographs Radiographs/x-ray of teeth taken by dentist if required to find out any abnormality or problems.
Scaling & polishing of teeth Cleaning of teeth using an ultrasonic machine
Restorations Restoration of teeth with cavities which can be filled with different type of fillings such as amalgam/ white fillings.
Extractions of teeth The removal of teeth or retained roots with poor outcome and cannot be saved due to mobility or infection.
Surgical removal of teeth Removal of teeth or retained roots with poor outcome, cannot be saved and difficult to pull out due to complexity. Usually, it involves non-functional or infected wisdom teeth (the last molars).
Biopsy A sample of soft or hard tissues which is taken for investigation by an oral pathologist to find out or confirm any abnormality. Example: Gum enlargement (see photo)
Blood investigations This is indicated for patient with special needs who is unable to do blood investigation before general anaesthesia due to behavioural issues. Acts as base-line or routine blood tests result.
Root canal therapy A single visit root canal therapy to treat infected teeth. However, this procedure is limited depending on the teeth condition and patient selection.

Dental post-operative instructions

Preparation before General Anaesthesia

* At your home, if you experience excessive bleeding, uncontrolled pain, persistent nausea or abnormal elevation of temperature, please seek emergency treatment at the hospital emergency department.
** You will be given a review appointment for a follow-up after 1 to 4 weeks post-operatively.