Why would Anesthesia be needed for Dental work?  While most work by a Dentist can be under local anesthesia, there are many situations where IV sedation would be needed. These include: uncooperative children, children with certain medical conditions such as Autism, Down's Syndrome, and ADHD, anxious adults, and patients in whom local anesthesia is insufficient. In addition, because a Dentist can accomplish more while a patient is anesthetized, less appointments may be needed overall if the work can be completed in one sitting.

How can I best prepare myself, or my child, for IV sedation? All patients should refrain from eating or drinking anything within 8 hours of the procedure time (sips of water are OK until 4 hours before). The reason for this is because under Anesthesia, all humans loose the ability to keep stomach contents out of their trachea, or the passage way from your mouth to your lungs. Stomach contents are acidic due the biochemistry of the stomach lining, so if acidic contents come in contact with lung tissue, a condition known as Aspiration Pneumonia will occur. In addition, reflux of stomach contents can cause the vocal cords to spasm, resulting in a condition called Laryngospasm. Both conditions are extremely rare if the aforementioned food and liquid guidelines are followed.

Will I be able to ask questions over the phone? Absolutely. I will contact you the day before the procedure to ask you about your medical history. You may ask any questions at this time.

Will I (or my child) be intubated (also known as having a breathing tube inserted)? I practice TIVA, or Total Intravenous Anesthesia. Thus, you or your child will not be intubated under my care. Intubation is reserved for rare emergencies and is exceedingly rare.

How will I or my child feel after receiving Anesthesia? You will be mildly "groggy" but fully awake and able to talk and walk. Nevertheless, you must have alternate means of transportation as you will not be able to safely operative heavy machinery such as a motor vehicle. Your child will be awake following the procedure, and fully functional by the next day.

Is Total IV Anesthesia safe? Yes, very safe. As a licensed physician and Board-Certified Anesthesiologist, I will ensure your or your child's medical history is thoroughly reviewed well before the procedure date. All precautions will be taken during the Anesthesia, and I will ensure a smooth and safe experience for you or your child.

What is the cost? I charge $500 per hour, starting with the time your IV is inserted until you are awake. You do not get charged for the time it takes me to set up.

What if the procedure is 1 hour, or less? I can anesthetize you for any duration, including for cases that are less than one hour. However, I do have a $1500 daily minimum.

What if I have medical problems and/or take medication- is Anesthesia in a Dental office still safe? This is assessed on a case by case. Please call me and we can discuss whether you’re a candidate for Anesthesia in an Dental office.

How long have you been doing this? Since 2006.