General Anesthesia Dentistry in Auburn

What Is Dental Treatment Under General Anesthesia?

General anesthesia allows you to remain fully asleep during your dental procedure. Unlike nitrous oxide — which keeps you relaxed but awake — general anesthesia means you are completely unconscious and will have no awareness of the treatment.

For patients who qualify, treatments such as fillings, crowns, bridges, and certain implant restorations can often be completed in just one visit. When you wake up, your treatment is complete — based on the personalized plan you created with Dr. Bernales during your consultation.

Who Is General Anesthesia Right For?

General anesthesia dentistry may be recommended for patients who:

• Have significant dental anxiety that makes other sedation methods insufficient
• Need extensive restorative work and want to complete it in fewer visits
• Have difficulty getting numb from local anesthesia alone
• Have a severe gag reflex or other physical considerations
• Have special needs or medical factors that make conscious dental treatment difficult
• Have avoided dental care for a long time and have multiple concerns to address

Not sure if general anesthesia is the right fit? Schedule a consultation and Dr. Bernales will walk you through your options.

Treatments We Can Complete While You Sleep

General anesthesia often allows Dr. Bernales to complete multiple procedures in a single appointment — meaning fewer visits, less disruption to your schedule, and faster results.

Dental Fillings

Cavities and minor tooth damage can be treated without you hearing or feeling anything. You'll wake up with your teeth restored and protected.

Dental Crowns

Crowns restore strength, function, and appearance to damaged teeth. In many cases, preparation and placement can be completed in a single visit while you're comfortably asleep.

Dental Bridges

Bridges replace missing teeth and help restore your bite. Completing this treatment under general anesthesia makes the process easier — especially for more complex cases or anxious patients.

Dental Implant Restorations

Certain implant-related restorative procedures can also be performed under general anesthesia, allowing for a more comfortable and streamlined experience.

What to Expect With General Anesthesia

The process is designed to be as smooth and straightforward as possible:

1. Consultation: Dr. Bernales reviews your oral health, discusses your treatment plan, and determines whether general anesthesia is appropriate for you.
2. Pre-Visit Preparation: You'll receive specific instructions before your appointment — including fasting requirements and arranging a responsible adult to drive you home.
3. Day of Treatment: The Elite Anesthesia team administers anesthesia and monitors you throughout the procedure. Dr. Bernales completes your planned dental work while you rest.
4. Waking Up: You'll come out of anesthesia in a comfortable recovery setting. Your treatment will be complete.
5. Post-Procedure Recovery: Most patients feel back to normal within a day or two. Dr. Bernales will provide specific aftercare instructions before you leave.

Safe Care With Elite Anesthesia

We work exclusively with Elite Anesthesia to ensure your general anesthesia experience is safe and seamless from start to finish. The Elite Anesthesia team consists of certified professionals who specialize in dental anesthesia — providing hospital-level anesthesia care in the familiar setting of your own dental office.

With general anesthesia at A2 Dental, you can:

• Sleep comfortably throughout your entire procedure
• Wake up with your dental work already completed
• Avoid dental anxiety and discomfort entirely
• Complete extensive treatment efficiently in fewer visits

How Is General Anesthesia Different From Nitrous Oxide?

Both are forms of sedation dentistry, but they serve different needs. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) keeps you relaxed and awake — it wears off quickly and requires no special preparation. General anesthesia puts you completely to sleep, requires more preparation and recovery time, and is typically reserved for more extensive treatment or patients for whom other options aren't sufficient.

During your consultation, Dr. Bernales will help you understand which option best fits your situation. Some patients start with nitrous oxide and later choose general anesthesia as their treatment needs grow.

Learn more about Nitrous Oxide →

General Anesthesia Dentistry for Auburn and the South End

A2 Dental proudly serves patients throughout Auburn, Kent, Federal Way, Algona, Pacific, and Lakeland Hills who are looking for a more comfortable approach to dental care.

Our office is conveniently located along 8th St NE in Auburn, just minutes from SR-167 and a short drive from Green River College.