Child under anesthesia for dental work

For most parents, the thought of their child undergoing general anesthesia is the most frightening part of any surgery. This is understandable, since anesthesia is unfamiliar to most families.

Pediatric general anesthesia risks

Furthermore, the media occasionally reports a terrifying story of a life threatening problem with an anesthetic. In reality, though, modern anesthesia is extremely safe. It is only because it is so safe - with millions of uncomplicated anesthetics administered every year – that such events are considered news at all.

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions.


Why can’t you do the procedure under local anesthesia?

For young children, it is rarely possible to safely perform a surgical procedure without complete (general) anesthesia.

Although local anesthesia may be used for dental procedures in older patients, it would be far from appropriate for the common operations in my practice.

The administration of local anesthesia itself is often painful and terrifying to a child, as would be the need for restraint, and it would not be possible to hold even a small child comp

is anesthesia safe for toddlers

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