Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 9/25/2007

Question
Hi,
   My 2 yr old daughter has tooth decay and she needs her teeth to be fixed including root canals and fillings etc. Dentist is not recommending the treatment without putting her asleep. My question is how safe is general anesthesia for children of her age? and what complications,allergies and reaction or after effects we shud be expecting?

Answer
This is very common for babies and small children and the risks are minimal (assuming the child is otherwise healthy). You need not worry about allergies (very rare) or anesthetic complications (also rare). As for after effects, the child might be drowsy and irritable for a day or two post op but otherwise, no aftereffects.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston