Understanding Types of Dental Sedation

Last updated 7 months ago

For some children, visiting their pediatric dentists can seem intimidating. A good pediatric dentist understands that children may need special comfort measures in order to feel safe and secure. One option for helping children to relax is sedation dentistry. If your child is uneasy about the prospect of having dental work performed, talk to your children’s dentist about the option of sedation dentistry. Your child may be a candidate for various types of sedation dentistry, including:

Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is capable of producing a relaxing effect without rendering your child unconscious. Your child will still be able to talk to and interact with the dentist, but he or she will not be overly concerned about anything that is happening around him or her. After treatment, pure oxygen is administered for a few minutes, and the effects of the gas are flushed out of the system.

IV Sedation
If your child is very young, uncooperative, has severe dental anxiety, or requires an extensive amount of dental work, IV sedation may be the best option. With this type of sedation, a qualified anesthesiologist administers intravenous medication that will allow your child to sleep through the entire procedure. He or she will not remember anything about the treatment and will be perfectly safe throughout the procedure. Some medical conditions can affect eligibility for IV sedation, however, so it is important to discuss your child’s needs and medical history with your dentist.

General Anesthesia
If your child is not a candidate for other forms of sedation, general anesthesia may be an option. This type of sedation is only administered in a hospital setting and is only available from select dentists. Your dentist can tell you if your child may require this type of sedation.

If you are looking for a compassionate children’s dentist in the Ashburn area, contact us at Ashburn Children’s Dentistry. We offer a variety of sedation options to help your child feel comfortable and relaxed. Call (571) 223-5768 for more information.