Dental Care Under General Anesthesia
General anesthesia keeps the patient unconscious throughout dental treatment. It may be considered when severe fear, difficulty remaining still or the amount of planned work makes an ordinary appointment impractical.
“Dental treatment in sleep” and “narcosis” are common everyday phrases. Doctors call it general anesthesia. During it, the patient has no awareness of the dental work and feels nothing while it is being done.
Sedation works differently. Depending on its depth, a sedated person may still hear the dentist and respond. Under general anesthesia, consciousness is fully suppressed.
The dentist treats the teeth. A second doctor — the anesthesiologist — is responsible for the anesthesia, breathing, blood pressure and pulse.
When a Regular Appointment Is Not Enough
Some patients delay treatment for years because their fear feels impossible to control. They are not simply nervous. A person may be unable to sit in the chair, open their mouth or remain calm even during a short procedure.
Physical or emotional circumstances can create the same difficulty. A patient may struggle to follow the dentist’s instructions or stay still for long enough. This applies to adults as well as children.
Sleep dentistry may also be discussed when there is a considerable amount of work to complete. Several lengthy procedures, for example, might be more practical in one session. The number of teeth alone does not decide the matter. The dentist prepares a plan first, and the anesthesiologist then reviews the patient’s health.
What the Anesthesiologist Will Ask
The consultation covers chronic conditions, allergies, previous operations and earlier experiences with anesthesia. Do not rely on memory for the names of regular medicines. Take a photo of the packaging or save a list on your phone.
Blood tests or an opinion from another specialist may be requested. There is no standard set that applies to everyone; it depends on the individual medical history. Diabetes, asthma or heart disease does not automatically rule out treatment. It must not be left unmentioned, however. The anesthesiologist needs to understand how the condition is currently managed and see the complete medication list.
A Change in Health Before Treatment
A new cough, fever, blocked or runny nose, or an episode of vomiting should be reported before the appointment. Call and describe what has changed. The anesthesiologist will decide whether the planned date can stay or should be moved.
You will receive separate instructions about food and drink. Follow the times given by the doctor. A sweet, milky coffee or quick snack still counts as food and must be reported.
Keep taking or pause regular medicine only as instructed. Do not make that change yourself.
Inside the Treatment Room
The team begins by confirming the planned dental work and reviewing the medical details. Once everything has been checked, anesthesia is started. The dentist then works on the teeth while the anesthesiologist remains beside the patient and watches the monitor readings.
Tooth Fairy Clinic uses a GE General Electric anesthesia machine. Information about the patient’s condition appears on a separate monitoring system.
Observation does not end with the final dental procedure. It continues while the patient wakes and until the discharge criteria have been met.
Recovery takes place at the clinic. The team checks how alert the patient is and continues monitoring the main readings. The anesthesiologist decides when it is appropriate to leave.
Plan the journey home before coming to the clinic. An adult should leave with a companion and must not drive after the anesthetic.
Cost of Sleep Dentistry
One hour of general anesthesia costs UAH 4,200. The anesthesiologist consultation is UAH 700.
Dental treatment is not included in these amounts. Its cost is calculated separately after the examination, once the dentist knows which teeth require care.
FAQ
A dentist first checks the teeth and lists the work that needs to be done. The medical side is then discussed with the anesthesiologist. Appointments at Tooth Fairy Clinic in Bila Tserkva are available by phone: +38 (093) 459 99 11 and +38 (068) 168 99 11.
FAQ
Sedation or general anesthesia — what changes?
During sedation, some patients remain able to listen and reply. General anesthesia switches off awareness for the duration of the dental work.
I use prescription medicine every day. Do I stop taking it?
Not without instructions. Photograph each package or note down what you take and when. At the consultation, the anesthesiologist will say whether the usual schedule can stay as it is.
Will I know the approximate duration beforehand?
Usually, yes. The dentist first works out how many procedures are planned and how complex they are likely to be. This provides an approximate window; the actual dental work determines when anesthesia can be stopped.
What is recovery usually like?
Sleepiness is expected at first. Some people also notice brief nausea or weakness. The medical team watches how recovery is progressing before allowing the patient to leave with a companion.
What will the total cost include?
General anesthesia is charged at UAH 4,200 per hour. The anesthesiologist consultation costs UAH 700, while the dental procedures are calculated separately from the treatment plan.