What is Sedation Dentistry?
As a parent, you want your child to receive the best possible dental care in a safe, comfortable environment. However, some children may experience fear and anxiety associated with dental treatment. This can make it difficult for them to undergo even routine procedures. Fortunately, sedation dentistry can provide a solution.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help children cope with fear and anxiety associated with dental treatment. The goal is to enable a child to undergo treatment or allow a dentist to perform a procedure as safely and efficiently as possible without having long-term negative effects on a child’s dental experience.
Who Should be Sedated?
Children who have a level of anxiety that prevents good coping skills, including younger children and those who are unable to cooperate during the delivery of dental care or have an extensive treatment plan that may overwhelm a child’s existing coping skills, may benefit from sedation dentistry.
Sedation Options
At Where Smiles Grow, we offer a range of sedation options, including:
- Nitrous Oxide/Laughing Gas
- Oral Conscious Sedation / Moderate Sedation – Performed in office by our Dental Team
- V. Sedation / Deep Sedation – Performed in Office by an Anesthesiologist
- General Anesthesia in a Hospital Setting
Our goal is for your child to be relaxed enough to get through the procedure with little or no additional fear or anxiety from the treatment, allowing us to focus moving forward on helping them develop as a patient.
Is Dental Sedation Safe for Kids?
At Where Smiles Grow, safety is always our top priority. Each of our doctors has undergone advanced training in medical emergencies, as well as Pediatric Advanced Life support (PALS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification. Our pediatric dentists have years of experience in safely using various sedation methods with our patients.
Before sedation is administered, we will review your child’s medical history, including any medications they are currently taking, and any other relevant medical information. We provide pre-and post-op instructions to help you prepare for your child’s procedure and care for them after the sedation has worn off. After your appointment, your child may be groggy, although many patients do not experience any negative reactions after sedation. We’ll let you know what signs to look out for and what to do if complications arise. If you have any questions or concerns, please give our office a call.
Final Thoughts
At Where Smiles Grow, we understand that every child is unique and has their own individual needs. That’s why we take the time to discuss all options with you and help you decide what is best for your child. Sedation dentistry can provide a safe, anxiety-free experience for certain children who need dental treatment. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your child’s appointment.
