what is pediatric sedation dentistry?
Dental visits can cause anxiety and fear for many children. At Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry in Lawrenceville, GA, Dr. Jeni Kong and Dr. Milee Kim provide pediatric sedation dentistry to help children feel calm, comfortable, and safe during treatment. During your child’s consultation, both doctors review the available sedation options and recommend the most appropriate choice for your child’s needs.
What Are The Benefits Of Pediatric Sedation Dentistry?
Pediatric sedation dentistry in Lawrenceville, GA at Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry helps your child get the gentle dental care they need with a number of great benefits, including:
Offers multiple sedation options
Reduces anxiety and fear
Keeps discomfort to a minimum
Improves treatment quality
Allows more involved procedures to be performed
Allows multiple procedures to be performed
Can allow children to have little to no memory of the treatment
Helps improve overall oral health
Safe and effective
Cost-effective
What types of sedation are used in pediatric dentistry?
Dr. Kong and Dr. Kim may recommend one of the following sedation options:
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): A mild sedation inhaled through a mask that helps children feel calm and relaxed. The effects wear off within minutes once the gas is turned off.
Oral-conscious sedation: Prescription medication taken before the visit to ease stress and anxiety. Children remain awake but relaxed, and effects may last for several hours.
Hospital dentistry with IV sedation: Used for children with special needs, medical conditions, or those requiring extensive treatment. This deeper level of sedation is performed in a hospital setting, where Dr. Kong maintains privileges at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Who is a candidate for pediatric sedation dentistry?
Children who experience significant fear, anxiety, or difficulty cooperating during dental visits may be good candidates for sedation. Dr. Kong and Dr. Kim consider each child’s medical history, dental needs, and treatment plan before recommending sedation to ensure the safest and most effective option.
How does pediatric sedation dentistry work?
The process varies depending on the type of sedation chosen. With nitrous oxide, a small mask is placed over the nose and mouth to deliver the calming gas while the child remains awake. With oral sedation, a prescribed medication is given prior to the appointment, allowing the child to remain relaxed throughout treatment. In hospital dentistry cases, sedation medication is given through an IV, and the child is continuously monitored until the effects wear off. In every case, Dr. Kong, Dr. Kim, and their team carefully track the child’s comfort and safety from start to finish.
Is pediatric sedation dentistry safe for my child?
Yes. When administered by experienced pediatric dentists like Dr. Kong and Dr. Kim, sedation dentistry is safe and closely monitored. The doctors thoroughly review your child’s medical history to rule out any concerns before recommending sedation. Sedation dentistry is not general anesthesia — children remain conscious and responsive, but in a calm and relaxed state.
Does insurance cover pediatric sedation dentistry?
Coverage for sedation depends on the type of sedation chosen and your specific insurance plan. The Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry team contacts your insurance provider in advance to confirm benefits and calculate any out-of-pocket costs. Flexible payment options and financing are also available.
What should we expect after pediatric sedation?
Most children return to their normal state within 20–30 minutes, though they may feel tired or groggy for the rest of the day. Some children experience mild confusion or disorientation as the sedation wears off, but this typically resolves quickly. If you notice any unusual symptoms, contact our Lawrenceville office right away.
Safe, compassionate children’s dental care
At Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Jeni Kong and Dr. Milee Kim are committed to providing safe, compassionate care that makes every child feel comfortable. Pediatric sedation dentistry allows children to receive the treatment they need in a positive, stress-free environment. To learn more about sedation dentistry options for your child, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kong or Dr. Kim today.
Pediatric Sedation Dentistry FAQ
Yes, for the majority of healthy children with no preexisting conditions, pediatric sedation dentistry is considered generally very safe and effective. Before the procedure, Dr. Jeni will review your child’s medical history and current health to ensure sedation dentistry is safe for them.
Unless your child is undergoing hospital dentistry, sedation dentistry will not put them to sleep, but rather it will simply relax them. Some may fall asleep from the feeling of calm and relaxation, but the sedation itself does not put them to sleep.
No, most children won’t feel any pain with sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry works to reduce any fear or anxiety your child may have about their dental procedure but isn’t necessarily for pain (unless it is full sedation at a hospital). The tooth or teeth to be treated will be completely numbed with a local anesthetic to prevent your child from feeling any pain during the procedure.
Parents should ensure their child follows any pre-appointment instructions, such as fasting guidelines. It’s also helpful to explain to the child in simple terms what to expect, avoiding any mention of pain or discomfort. Bringing a favorite toy or blanket can provide comfort and ease anxiety on the day of the procedure.
Dentists use specialized equipment to continuously monitor the child’s heart rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure, and breathing throughout the procedure. This ensures the child’s safety and allows the dental team to respond quickly to any changes. The monitoring equipment is noninvasive and typically does not cause any discomfort to the child.
Follow all post-procedure instructions provided by our team at Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry. These may include monitoring your child’s activity, providing soft foods, and ensuring they rest as needed.