Sedation Dentistry
Imagine your child undergoing a complex dental treatment like a baby root canal and crown, extraction, or other oral surgery. When treatment is complete, your child will have no recollection of the time it took, the pain, the noise, or the discomfort. We are pleased to offer your child the option of comfortable, safe, and effective sedation dentistry. Our pediatric dental patients who benefit from sedation dentistry have:
- A fear or anxiety of being at the dentist
- A hard time sitting still for long periods of time
- A hard time getting (and staying) numb from anesthetics
What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry allows your pediatric dentist to provide a variety of dental treatments safely and comfortably for children who experience anxiety when visiting the dentist. There are several benefits to sedation dentistry, including:
- No memory of undergoing the procedure
- No sense of time while under sedation
- No sense of smell or sound
- No fear or anxiety during treatment
Levels of Sedation
Sedation dentistry is closely regulated by law. Our office offers two sedation options: mild sedation and deep sedation.
- Mild Sedation — Anxiolysis is the lightest form of sedation dentistry and is often used for children with mild anxiety, longer procedures, or other more complex situations. Mild sedation is administered through nitrous oxide inhalation (laughing gas). Your child will remain awake or very sleepy throughout the entire procedure and will be able to breathe normally, but he or she will feel a great sense of relaxation. Patients recover from nitrous oxide sedation within a few minutes after the procedure is complete, so your child can resume normal activities immediately.
- Deep Sedation — Ambulatory Anesthesia Associates provides safe and closely monitored IV sedation at our office. Patients receiving IV sedation are unconscious during their dental procedure. Patients have no recollection of the treatment.
Please contact our practice to schedule a consultation, learn more about sedation dentistry, and find out which sedation dentistry method may be right for your child.
