ANESTHESIA AND SEDATION
In some cases, sedation may be needed to allow dental work to be performed on your child. This may be the case if your child is extremely anxious at the dental office, has had a bad dental experience in the past, or needs extensive work. Our office offers several dental sedation options for children, including:
NITROUS OXIDE
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, allows your child to relax during most dental procedures. It is not an analgesic, but it acts to combat anxiety. Most children react well to nitrous oxide, relaxing and accepting the procedure being performed. Nitrous oxide is given through a small mask that fits over your child's nose so they can breathe deeply and comfortably.
Nitrous oxide won't put your child “to sleep,” but he or she may become so relaxed that he or she will naturally feel like taking a short nap. Once the procedure is complete, the nitrous oxide mask is removed and your child will quickly become alert again as the gas leaves their system. If you think your child may benefit from nitrous oxide, please let our staff know.
LOCAL ANESTHESIA
If work needs to be done that may involve discomfort, a local anesthetic can be used to numb the gums around the procedure site. We first apply a small amount of numbing gel to the area, give it a few minutes to take effect, and then use a very small needle to inject the local anesthetic.
Most children can be distracted by the television above the dental chair during this quick procedure, and our team is trained to perform the injection as quickly and painlessly as possible. Once the dental work is completed, you will receive instructions on how to care for your child until the anesthesia wears off.
INTRAVENOUS SEDATION
For some children, dental treatment can be intimidating, making the process a difficult task, despite our best efforts. For these children, sedation options may be required so that we can provide appropriate treatment.
We often recommend intravenous (IV) sedation in the office. With intravenous sedation, a specialized anesthesiologist will provide sedation while our team performs the necessary dental work, safely and painlessly!
Sedation is not an option for all children, so we will determine if your child meets the strict criteria for this specific service.
If your child requires extensive dental work, an anesthesiologist will be hired to administer intravenous sedation and monitor them. The attending Pediatric Dentist and an assistant will work together to complete the required dental procedure.
Once the dental work is completed, the anesthesiologist will discontinue intravenous sedation. Your child will be allowed to wake up naturally and will remain in our office for a short time until they are fully alert.
Whether your child requires sedation for extensive dental procedures or simply needs a little help relaxing during their dental visit, we can provide the best option on a case-by-case basis.
If you have any questions about sedation dentistry for children, please ask us before your child's next visit. We can discuss your concerns and help you choose the best option for your child to make their visit to the dentist as smooth as possible.
