Sedation dentistry refers to the use of sedatives during dental treatment. The goal is to establish a relaxing and anxiety-free experience during the dental treatment. There are different types of sedation, and our office provides those alternatives to you based on your child’s level of anxiety and/or treatment needs.
Sedation can range from the use of nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” used to calm a patient to general anesthetics used to put patients to sleep. We will evaluate your child individually and make the appropriate recommendation for a safe and effective option. Your participation in regards to any type of sedation is crucial to our success.
Sedation is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association. It is an effective way to make many patients comfortable during their dental visit. Before choosing a type of sedation, it is important to tell your dentist about any medications or medical treatments your child is receiving.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
One of the major benefits of sedation dentistry is that people often feel like their dental procedure lasts only a few minutes. Most young children are unable to understand and tolerate the experience of having a dental treatment completed. Multiple office visits can also elicit stress and anxiety in young children. Sedation can be used as an adjunct to complete the necessary dental treatment safely and efficiently.
Types of Sedation
- Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide is used as a conscious sedative during dental visits. Since it is a mild sedative, patients are still conscious and can talk to their dentist throughout the appointment. Your child may giggle or tell stories; occasionally a child will fall asleep. After treatment is completed, the gas is turned off. The effects wear off almost immediately. Nitrous oxide rarely has side effects. Some patients may experience nausea and/or constipation.
- Oral Sedation
The technique is easy and requires your child to drink the chosen medication. Various medications can be used to sedate a child. The medications are selected based on your child’s overall health, level of anxiety and amount of dental treatment. Once the medications have been administered, it may take up to an hour before your child shows signs of sedation and is ready for treatment. Most children become relaxed and/or drowsy. They may drift into a light sleep from which they can be aroused easily. Unlike general anesthesia, oral sedation is not intended to make a patient unconscious or unresponsive. In rare cases, some children may not experience relaxation but an opposite reaction such as agitation or crying.
- IV Sedation
IV sedation is a procedure that allows treatment to be completed while your child is asleep. This is an approach that many parents find accommodating. It is both safe and effective when administered by a trained professional. Our doctors work with a highly accredited dental anesthesiologist for children. The anesthesiologist will give your child an injection of ketamine in the arm. Ketamine will relax your child in about 10 minutes. Some children do not even remember the injection due to the medicine’s amnesic properties. Your child will next have an IV placed to continue the sedation for the remainder of the appointment. If it was not possible to obtain X-rays previously, then they will be taken and an assistant will inform you of the results and review any changes in the treatment plan. After dental treatment is complete, the anesthesia will be reversed and your child will begin to wake up. The anesthesiologist and dentist will give post-operative instructions and will allow you to go home when your child is alert enough.