Sedation Dentistry

As a pediatric dentist, we offer various forms of sedation dentistry for a variety of reasons. Our goal is to help patients relax and feel comfortable when receiving the necessary oral health treatment they need. We understand that children may not easily understand why they need to visit a dentist or may not be willing to go. Our team has the training to exercise patience when it comes to treating children. Sedation dentistry allows us to help children remain still during treatment, relax, and stay calm. The types of sedation dentistry we provide include:

It is beneficial to understand what each type of sedation is and how it can help a child during their dental appointment. Nitrous Oxide According to healthychildren.org, sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics, nitrous oxide is a mild sedative and the least invasive sedation option for dental treatment. Also known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide helps the patient relax while remaining awake. With laughing gas, the child may feel a bit light-headed but will not go to sleep. If a child has difficulty sitting still during treatment or is nervous about an appointment, then we may recommend using nitrous oxide to help them relax. Nitrous oxide will wear off fairly quickly after the appointment. Moderate Sedation Moderate sedation involves administering oral medication to help children relax and is stronger than nitrous oxide. If nitrous oxide is not as effective, then we may consider moderate sedation instead. The parent will sit with the child while the sedation takes effect for around 30 to 45 minutes. Once it takes effect, the patient will be much more relaxed but still somewhat alert. The patient will be able to do what we ask them to do. In most cases, the patient will not remember much or any of the appointment after waking up. The child will need some time to wake back up from the effects of the sedation. Deep/IV Sedation During IV sedation, a dental anesthesiologist will be present to monitor the patient during the entire procedure. With deep sedation, the patient will be asleep and not remember any of the procedure afterward. We will most likely use this type of sedation when other options fail. With this type of sedation, the anesthesiologist will need to determine when it is safe for the child to go home after the effects wear off.

If your child has difficulty remaining still at the dentist, struggles with dental anxiety, or has other conditions that make receiving dental care challenging, then we can help. Call us at 602-595-3531 to learn how sedation dentistry may be able to help your child.

How long will the effects of the sedation last? The length of time the effects last will depend on the type of sedation. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, will wear off fairly quickly after the patient stops breathing it. Moderate sedation may take a bit longer to wear off but should not take too long after the appointment. The IV sedation will typically take longer to wear off, so a dental anesthesiologist will need to determine when it is safe for the child to return home once the effects wear off. How can I prepare for the appointment? Depending on the type of sedation, it may be necessary to have the child avoid eating a few hours before the appointment. It can also help to talk to the child about the visit, what they can expect, and how they may feel a bit sleepy during the visit. We can go over more details during an initial consultation. How do I know if my child will benefit from sedation dentistry? If the child has difficulty sitting still during a dental appointment, to the point that they risk harming themselves by fidgeting too much, then sedation dentistry may be necessary. We can also help patients who fear metal dental tools being near them or visiting the dentist in general. We will evaluate the patient and help determine the most effective form of treatment. Is there anything I need to know for after the appointment? Following the appointment, the child may feel a bit drowsy or nauseous as the effects of the sedation wear off. Fortunately, these side effects will go away as the sedation wears off. The parent should have the child rest for the day and take it easy. We can go over more steps to take following an appointment with sedation dentistry during a consultation.