SEDATION DENTIST FOR KIDS GARLAND
Ensuring the Best Dental Experience for Your Child
Dental-related anxiety is something that affects the majority of children – and even if you’re acclimating your little one to the dental office early on, there’s still a chance that they’ll feel uneasy about all kinds of dental treatment. Luckily, sedation dentistry can help. Dr. Ben and his team employ a few different sedation dentistry solutions in their Garland pediatric dental office, all of which are capable of ensuring a pleasant and stress-free experience for your child. Don’t hesitate to reach out today for additional details!
Why Choose Garland Pediatric Dentistry for Children’s Sedation Dentistry?
- Pediatric Dentist with Years of Experience
- Comfortable Office with Kid-Friendly Amenities
- Numerous Sedation Options Available
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Commonly referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is one of the gentlest forms of sedation dentistry for kids that we offer here in our office. Your child will be fitted with a soft nasal mask that feeds them a mixture of nitrous and oxygen, and they’re carefully monitored during their whole appointment. The gas itself is colorless, odorless, and capable of installing warm, euphoric feelings that make treatment pleasant for your child. They’ll still be fully conscious and responsive to commands, and they shouldn’t experience any sort of negative or lasting side effects; it’s incredibly safe, convenient, and effective to say the least.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Using dental nitrous oxide in Garland can be an ideal solution for children who find it uncomfortable to sit in a dentist’s chair for an extended period, who have a strong or sensitive gag reflex, who cannot successfully receive anesthesia, and who have mild dental anxiety.
Before your child can receive any kind of treatment, though, our dentists will need to evaluate their oral and overall health to make sure it is safe to administer nitrous oxide.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
The process is quite simple. A nasal mask will be placed over your child’s nose, while the tube that is connected to the mask allows a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen to flow freely so that your child can begin to inhale. Within minutes of our team turning on the gas, your child will begin to relax and become much more comfortable in the treatment chair.
Throughout their visit, we will adjust the levels to ensure they remain at ease from beginning to end. When everything is finished, we will turn off the gas and remove the mask so that they can breathe pure oxygen. Within a few minutes, they can resume all normal activity.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
The effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly, so it’s unlikely that your child will experience any negative side effects. However, we do require your child to remain in our office for a few minutes after their treatment is complete so that we can monitor their breathing and make sure they feel fine. Depending on the kind of procedure your child received, they may need to return home to recover.
If you notice any issues after their appointment and are unsure if what they are experiencing is normal, make sure to call our office right away.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Like nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation can be used to assist children who suffer from dental-related anxiety, but it’s also ideal for those undergoing certain or lengthy procedures. It involves your child taking a small, prescribed pill or a small amount of liquid medicine right before their appointment so that by the time they’re seated for treatment, its effects have kicked in. They’ll remain conscious but totally relaxed and drowsy, and they likely won’t remember much from their visit.
General Anesthesia (“Sleep Dentistry”)
General anesthesia, or “sleep dentistry,” is a safe option that we offer here at our Garland dental office to help children with extensive dental needs or high anxiety. With this approach, your child will be comfortably asleep throughout the procedure – which is the main difference between this and other forms of sedation that we offer. It ultimately ensures a stress-free experience for them and grants both you and them peace of mind. Our team is trained and licensed to perform this form of sedation, and we’ll always closely monitor your child for the whole duration of their appointment. The bottom line is that sleep dentistry makes necessary treatments much easier, especially for younger patients or those with special needs.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Why is a consultation necessary for my child to receive sedation?
Meeting with a sedation dentist for children before treatment is the safest and most effective way to ensure the success of your child’s next appointment. Knowing more about their oral and overall health background, as well as if they are taking any medications, can help the dentist determine which type of sedation will be best.
At Garland Pediatric Dentistry, we offer nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and general anesthesia. With the help of the information you provide, we can indicate which method is safest for your child to receive.
Is sedation dentistry safe for children?
Yes, you can trust that the dental sedation we administer will be safe for your child to receive. This is one of the reasons why we require a consultation beforehand. At our dental practice, our team is skilled in providing all types of sedation to help keep your child calm and at ease throughout their appointment.
While nitrous oxide is the mildest option, general anesthesia can be most effective for patients who have intellectual and physical disabilities or those who require multiple complex treatments. No matter which option is recommended for your child, we’ll be sure you have the instructions to ensure their recovery after treatment is complete.
How should I prepare my child for their sedation appointment?
When preparing to bring your child in to receive dental sedation, you can do the following:
- Discuss the upcoming visit with your child and help them feel at ease about the appointment.
- Follow any pre-appointment instructions provided by our dental team to ensure they are ready when they arrive.
- Have your child wear comfortable clothing.
- Let your child bring their favorite stuffed animal or blanket for added comfort.
- Arrive a few minutes early for the appointment.
Can dental sedation help my child who has special needs?
Yes! At Garland Pediatric Dentistry, we strongly recommend sedation if your child has an intellectual or physical disability. This will allow them to remain fully at ease during their appointment. Our team will be able to complete the necessary treatment knowing that your child is safe, comfortable, and receiving essential care to keep their growing smile healthy and happy year after year.
We’ll make sure to work with you to determine what accommodations are needed to make your child feel relaxed while in our care.