SLEEP DENTISTRY (GENERAL ANESTHESIA)
What is Sleep Dentistry?
As specialists in pediatric dentistry, we understand that some children may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or unable to cope with dental treatment in a traditional setting. That’s why we offer sleep dentistry using general anesthesia – a safe, effective method for children who need extensive care, have dental anxiety, are young, or have special healthcare needs. This approach allows our pediatric dental team to complete all necessary treatment in a single visit while your child sleeps comfortably under the care of an experienced medical anesthesia team.
This technique helps to ensure continued positive attitudes towards dentistry as children can complete their treatment without being traumatized.
Sleep Dentistry Provided by Medical Anesthesiologists
Sleep dentistry, or general anesthesia dentistry, involves sedating a child so that dental treatment can be completed safely and comfortably. It’s an ideal option for children who are too young, anxious, or medically complex to receive care while awake. Under general anesthesia, your child is completely asleep and unaware of the procedure.
At Brite Bite, general anesthesia services are provided in partnership with Surgiservices, a trusted team of medical anesthesiologists. We have been working with Surgiservices for over fifteen years. These professionals specialize in hospital-grade anesthesia care for children, allowing our dental team to focus entirely on delivering gentle, thorough treatment—all in one visit.
We know that many parents may feel anxious about the idea of their child asleep in our dental office. During your consultation visit, we will review all risks and benefits and ensure that you are comfortable with the procedure.
When Do We Recommend General Anesthesia?
General anesthesia is typically reserved for situations where in-office treatment with local anesthetic or mild sedation isn’t appropriate or effective. We may recommend this option if:
-
Your child is very young and unable to stay still for treatment
-
There is a large amount of dental treatment required
-
Your child has a developmental, behavioral, or medical condition
Each case is reviewed individually. Our dentists will explain the benefits and risks of general anesthesia, answer all your questions, and help you decide if this is the best and safest option for your child.
Some parents will ask us “Can we fix each cavity one at a time?” The reality is that most children – even who are cooperative initially – will become less cooperative over multiple appointments.
What To Expect For Your Child’s Sleep Dentistry Appointment
Before the procedure, you’ll receive clear pre-op instructions, including fasting guidelines and what to expect on the day of treatment.
During the procedure, your child will be cared for by both our pediatric dental team and the Surgiservices anesthesiologist. Afterward, your child will rest in recovery under close observation until they’re ready to go home. We provide complete aftercare guidance and are available for any follow-up questions to ensure your child’s comfort and healing. Most of our patients are able to resume normal activity (school, daycare) by the next day. Our office also helps with insurance coordination and offers flexible payment plans to make this service accessible.
We know that this can be a stressful time for parents, and we promise to do whatever we can to help parents feel more comfortable.
