Sedation Dentistry - Nitrous Oxide, Conscious Sedation, I.V. Sedation & General Outpatient Sedation
Why sedation dentistry?
According to multiple dental organizations, some 95 million North Americans avoid the dentist because they are afraid of dentists or the pain they believe dentists cause. If you have put off much-needed dental care because your child is anxious or fearful about seeing a dentist, then sedation dentistry may be the perfect solution. Your child can sit back and relax through even the longest or most complex procedures.
Unfortunately, many patients have had painful dental care in the past or a traumatic childhood experience while receiving dental treatment. Sedation dentistry allows our dentists to use an oral sedative and/or nitrous oxide to help the anxious or fearful patient or patient with special medical or other needs to get much-needed, anxiety-free dental care pain-free.
Good candidates for sedation dentistry are children who are especially fearful or anxious about visiting the dentist or children who need extensive dental care that may require multiple visits over long periods of time. Rather than inconvenience you and your child for a prolonged period, we offer sedation dentistry. Our offices are part of a very small number of practices offering a complete range of sedation dentistry.
One of the few practices offering full sedation dentistry.
Nitrous Oxide
Some children are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may know as laughing gas, to relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen (a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide) is given through a small breathing mask which is placed over the child’s nose, allowing them to relax, but without putting them to sleep.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recognizes this technique as a very safe, effective technique to use for treating children’s dental needs. The gas is mild, easily taken and quickly eliminated from the body with normal breathing. It is non-addictive. While inhaling nitrous oxide/oxygen, your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes.
Conscious Sedation
Conscious Sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children and children with special needs. It is used to calm your child and to reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments. Your child may be quite drowsy, and may even fall asleep, but they will not become unconscious.
There are a variety of different medications, which can be used for conscious sedation. The doctor will prescribe the medication best suited for your child’s overall health and dental treatment recommendations. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning the specific drugs we plan to give to your child.
I.V. Sedation
IV sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs when conscious sedation is not indicated or when it was not successful. Our goal is to complete your child's dental treatment safely and provide the most pleasant dental experience for your child. We work with a group of pediatric physician anesthesiologists, all of whom have extensive experience in caring for children. Please visit their website at www.pediatricsedation.com
We will be happy to discuss your options and work out the right treatment plan for you or your child. Just contact our office nearest you.