Is Pediatric Sedation Dentistry Safe For My Child?
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Pediatric sedation dentistry is available for children who experience anxiety and worry during dental treatment. This service helps relax your child and allows them to feel comfortable during a procedure, ensuring we can safely treat your child’s dental needs.
Dr. Jeni Kong and Dr. Sandra Oh at Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry offer pediatric sedation dentistry for our patients. You may be curious about how it works and if it is a safe solution. Here’s a little more information on pediatric dentistry and how it can help your child feel better about their dental visits.
What is pediatric sedation dentistry?
Children have many phobias about the unknown, including dental visits. Pediatric sedation dentistry is about reducing those phobias and any stress before undergoing dental treatment by creating a comfortable sensation in the body.
Nitrous oxide sedation, or laughing gas, typically entails the use of nitrous oxide gas that the child receives through a small mask that goes over the nose, helping to create a relaxed state as long as the gas remains in place.
We also offer oral-conscious sedation, which uses prescription medications that are taken an hour before work to reduce the patient’s anxiety. Your child remains awake during the procedure and able to respond to instructions. The effect lasts a few hours, and there will be some grogginess.
Hospital dentistry uses an intravenous sedative administered when a child has special needs, certain medical conditions, or requires extensive dental help. During your consultation with us at Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry, find out about our different sedation dentistry options and which procedure best fits your child’s needs.
How will your child be monitored?
Your child will be in expert care while under pediatric sedation dentistry, including carefully monitoring of your child’s vital signs throughout the treatment to ensure the amount of gas or IV solution we apply is safe.
The timing necessary for your child to become relaxed will vary by patient, but it should take a few minutes for everything to work unless an oral sedative is necessary. We will confirm their comfort and relaxation level before we start working on your child’s teeth and gums in Lawrenceville, GA.
What happens after the procedure?
We will supply oxygen to your child following the treatment to allow the child to wake up and feel restored. But the effects of the sedation procedure can cause a child to feel sleepy or groggy for a few hours. We advise your child to avoid intense physical activity and get enough rest so they can be ready for their normal routine the next day.
Is general anesthesia necessary?
Most children respond well to pediatric sedation dentistry with little to no aftereffects. The good news about pediatric dentistry sedation is that it doesn’t produce the same feeling as general anesthesia. People typically require anesthesia when they require extensive oral surgery or are undergoing a procedure that could take several hours to complete. This is usually available only at a traditional hospital, as most dental treatments do not require such extensive dental work.
Contact us today for more information about pediatric sedation dentistry
Your child deserves help when finding a way to stay relaxed and comfortable during a dental visit. You can ask us at Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry in Lawrenceville, GA if your child requires help through sedation. Drs. Jeni Kong and Sandra Oh are available to serve all of your child’s dental needs. So, visit us online to learn more about our dental services and schedule a visit.