sedation dentistry

Why Would I Need Sedation Dentistry for My Child?

Dental care can sometimes create fear or anxiety in young children and toddlers. The dental office’s sights and sounds combined with misconceptions or not understanding what’s happening can send some children into hysterics. In some children, this fear can become crippling, even without any form of physical discomfort.

Another reason you may need sedation dentistry is if your child requires an extensive amount of dental work. Sitting still for long periods while they receive care can be difficult for some children, and it can be less traumatic for the child if they can sleep through it. Sedation creates a stress-free visit for parents and patient alike and often allows all necessary work to be finished in a single sitting.

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Oral Sedation vs. Nitrous Oxide

Oral sedation helps take the anxious edge off, for a more peaceful treatment. It acts quickly, and because it’s administered orally, we can tailor it to your child’s needs.

Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is used to ease mild to moderate anxiety in children. Administered through a small mask that fits over your child’s nose, it is an effective way to calm anxiety. Your child will be asked to breathe through his or her nose and not through their mouth. As the gas begins to work, your child will become calm, although he or she will still be awake and able to talk with the dentist. At the end of your child’s appointment, he or she will resume breathing regular oxygen, and all the effects of nitrous oxide will disappear.

IV Sedation/General Anesthesia

How Is General Anesthesia Applied in The Dental Office?

We have an anesthesiologist, and a sedation specialist, that we hire to provide our office with these services. This service ensures that your child is receiving sedation from a qualified specialist. The treatment begins with oral medication to induce drowsiness, followed by an IV drip to administer the proper amount of drugs to sedate them thoroughly.

The anesthesiologist will remain throughout the procedure to monitor your child’s vital signs while our staff focuses on providing the treatment your child requires.

How Sleep Dentistry Helps Children

First and foremost, your child will receive the dental care they need without experiencing any form of trauma from the treatment. They’ll simply grow tired, fall asleep, and wake up after the procedure is completed. There are sedation options that are used to essentially prevent the child from remembering the procedure at all. Once they’re sedated, any necessary dental work can be completed, including x-rays, crowns, fillings, cleanings, etc. All of this will be accomplished without your child having a difficult visit to the dentist.