Anesthesia at the dentist: Stages of anesthesia, Recommendations

The administration of dental anesthesia usually takes about 20–30 minutes. Within this timeframe, a skilled dental professional can carry out multiple procedures, such as removing up to 10 teeth (including wisdom teeth), preparing up to 5 teeth for implants under general anesthesia, performing jaw corrections, or treating a complex abscess through incision and drainage.

A patient under the influence of anesthesia goes through three main stages:

• Analgesia. After the administration of medications, a gradual loss of consciousness begins, speech slows down, pain sensitivity decreases. Breathing, heart rhythm, and blood pressure remain stable.
• Excitement. The patient may exhibit sudden movements, start talking or shouting, muscle tone increases, neurological reflexes intensify, pupils dilate and react to light, breathing accelerates. This stage is short, after which the patient falls into a deep sleep.
• Surgical. The normalization of breathing, rhythm, and depth characterizes the beginning of this stage. The dentist can proceed with the necessary procedures. The level of the surgical stage can be superficial, light, deep, or ultra-deep.

Following dental anesthesia, patients should pay close attention to their condition. Common aftereffects include fatigue, decreased appetite, dizziness, unsteady walking, and facial swelling—especially around the cheeks. A slight rise in body temperature is also possible, but these symptoms typically subside on their own. It is important to exercise caution and rest after undergoing anesthesia.

Recommendations for patients after undergoing dental treatment under general anesthesia:

• Do not drive a car within 24 hours due to possible decreased reaction speed and pronounced drowsiness that can lead to dangerous situations on the road.
• Avoid physical exertion for 2-3 days after the operation to prevent increased blood flow and pressure that could lead to postoperative suture rupture.
• Refrain from operating dangerous equipment within 24 hours after visiting the dentist under anesthesia to avoid unwanted consequences.
• Do not take medications without consulting a doctor, especially be cautious with drugs affecting the central nervous system to avoid unpredictable outcomes.
• Avoid alcohol consumption as its combination with residual anesthetics can cause unwanted side effects.
• Exclude carbonated drinks, acidic, hot, and spicy foods from your diet until the wound surface is completely healed.

Regarding the safety of the procedure, reputable clinics only use certified medications, and an experienced anesthesiologist monitors the patient during anesthesia. Medications are selected individually considering the patient's overall condition to minimize possible side effects. When all recommendations are followed, unpleasant sensations are almost non-existent, as confirmed by dentists emphasizing the safety of new medications when used correctly.