Dental treatment under general anesthesia
Adults with severe dental fear and children who cannot cooperate in the chair are treated while asleep, with an anesthesiologist present. Treatment takes place at our practice in Pendik Tavşantepe, Istanbul.
Last updated: 9 November 2026
What is dental treatment under general anesthesia?
Under general anesthesia, the patient is put fully to sleep by an anesthesiologist, feels nothing during treatment and does not remember it afterwards. It is often called sleep dentistry. In dentistry, general anesthesia is used so that patients who cannot be treated in the chair because of fear, anxiety, age or health conditions can have all their treatment completed in a safe setting.
Dental treatment under general anesthesia is carried out at our practice, with an anesthesiologist present. Treatment is led by our founding dentist Eslem Şahan Divanoğlu, DDS, who has more than 15 years of experience with dental treatment under general anesthesia and sedation; nine years of her career were spent at the dental clinic of Pendik Regional Hospital.
Who is it suitable for?
General anesthesia is not the first option for everyone. After an examination, our dentist and the anesthesiologist decide together whether it is suitable for you or your child. It is usually considered in these situations:
- Adults with dental phobia: patients who have put off treatment for years and find it hard even to sit in the chair.
- Children who cannot cooperate in the chair: young patients who need many teeth treated or cannot manage a long session because of their age. See our general anesthesia for children page for details.
- People with special needs: patients who cannot be treated in the chair because of an intellectual or physical disability.
- A strong gag reflex: patients whose gag reflex makes treatment impossible when instruments are placed in the mouth.
- Extensive treatment: cases where several root canal treatments, fillings and extractions can appropriately be planned in one session.
For milder anxiety, sedation may be enough instead of full anesthesia. Which one suits you is decided at the examination.
Send us your question and our dentist will answer based on your situation. A definite plan cannot be made without an examination; the first step is a short consultation.
General anesthesia vs sedation
General anesthesia
The patient is fully asleep. Consciousness is switched off throughout treatment; breathing and other vital signs are managed by the anesthesiologist. It is preferred for long, extensive treatment, for children and for severe fear.
Sedation
The patient is brought into a deep, sleep-like state with their reflexes preserved. They usually do not feel or remember what happens during treatment. It is preferred for shorter procedures and moderate anxiety.
How treatment works at our practice
- Consultation and examination. Our dentist examines your mouth; if needed, X-rays are taken at the practice. All the treatment needed is put together in one plan.
- Anesthesia assessment. The anesthesiologist asks about your general health, your medicines and past illnesses. Tests such as blood work may be requested if needed.
- Preparation. You are told, in writing and in person, from what time to stop eating and drinking and how to take your medicines.
- Treatment day. The anesthesiologist puts you to sleep; blood pressure and pulse are monitored throughout. The planned fillings, root canal treatments, extractions and other procedures are done in the same session.
- Waking up and observation. You stay under observation at our practice until you are fully awake and feel well. Someone needs to accompany you home.
- Follow-up. A check-up is booked a few days later and your ongoing preventive care is planned.
Before treatment
- Do not eat or drink anything for the period the anesthesiologist tells you. This rule is very important for your safety.
- Tell us about all your medicines, allergies and chronic conditions at the examination.
- Wear comfortable clothes; do not wear nail polish, make-up or jewelry.
- Arrange for someone to take you to and from the practice. You must not drive on that day.
- If you have a fever, cough or cold, let us know before the treatment day.
After treatment
After waking up you may feel dizzy, tired or slightly nauseous for a while; this usually passes quickly. Follow the eating, drinking and medication instructions you are given and rest for the day. If the treated area feels sensitive, you can take the painkiller your dentist recommends. You can reach us on WhatsApp with any questions.
Why our practice in Pendik?
- At a practice, with a dentist you know: you are treated by the dentist you met at your consultation, without going to a hospital.
- Working with an anesthesiologist: the anesthesiologist handles anesthesia and monitoring, so our dentist can focus on treatment.
- Experience: Eslem Şahan Divanoğlu has more than 15 years of experience with general anesthesia and sedation.
- English-speaking team: you can discuss your plan and preparation in English.
- Easy to reach: we are at exit 2 of Tavşantepe Metro, easy to reach from Pendik, Kartal, Kurtköy and Tuzla.
Frequently asked questions
Is dental treatment under general anesthesia safe?
General anesthesia is a widely used method when applied by an anesthesiologist after a proper assessment. As with any medical procedure, there are individual risks; these are explained to you in detail at the assessment and your consent is obtained.
Is general anesthesia done at the practice?
Yes. General anesthesia and sedation are provided at our practice in Pendik Tavşantepe, with an anesthesiologist present.
How long does treatment take?
It depends on the number of procedures needed. After the examination you are given an approximate duration and a plan for the treatment day.
Can all my treatment be finished in one session?
Where appropriate, procedures such as fillings, root canal treatment and extractions can be completed in the same session. Treatments with a laboratory stage, such as crowns and dentures, may need extra appointments.
How long do I need to fast?
The anesthesiologist sets the fasting time based on your age and health. Always follow the instructions you are given.
How much does it cost?
The cost depends on the number and type of treatments and the length of anesthesia. After the examination you receive a written plan and information. You can message us on WhatsApp for initial information.
Is sleep dentistry the same as general anesthesia?
“Sleep dentistry” usually means general anesthesia, though it is sometimes used for sedation too. Under general anesthesia you are fully asleep; under sedation your reflexes are preserved. Your dentist and the anesthesiologist decide together, after an examination, which one suits you.
Do I need to go to a hospital for sleep dentistry?
For suitable patients, treatment is carried out at our practice in Pendik Tavşantepe with an anesthesiologist present. If your general health means a hospital setting is needed, we will tell you clearly at the examination.
Can general anesthesia be used for people with special needs?
For people who cannot be treated in the chair because of an intellectual or physical disability, general anesthesia is one of the most common approaches. Suitability depends on general health, medicines and the anesthesiologist’s assessment. See our dental care for people with special needs page for details.
Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry. Spent nine years at the dental clinic of Pendik Regional Hospital; more than 15 years of experience with general anesthesia and sedation.
Dentist’s pageThe information on this page is for general guidance only. The treatment that suits you is decided by your dentist after an examination and any necessary tests; the duration and outcome of treatment vary from person to person.
Treatments often planned together.
General anesthesia and sedationGeneral anesthesia for childrenChildren who cannot be treated in the chair can have all their teeth treated in one session, monitored by an anesthesiologist.
General anesthesia and sedationSedation dentistryYou drift into a sleep-like state with your reflexes preserved; you do not feel or remember what happens during treatment.
ChildrenPediatric dentistryTreatment of baby teeth, space maintainers and preventive care. The first visit is only for getting to know each other and playing.
General treatmentsRoot canal treatmentA tooth whose nerve is damaged by decay or trauma is saved instead of being extracted.