Sedation Dentistry
Going to the dentist can feel a little scary for some kids. At Dental Care 4 Kids, we understand that, and we’re here to help. Our Englewood sedation dentistry options make dental visits easier and less stressful, so your child can get the care they need while feeling relaxed and at ease.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses special medications to help kids feel completely comfortable during dental visits. We offer many different types of sedation to meet your child’s unique needs, such as:
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a mild form of sedation that your child breathes in through a small nose mask. Also known as laughing gas, this mild sedative helps your child feel happy and relaxed, but they stay awake the whole time. The effects wear off quickly after the mask comes off, so your child can go right back to their normal activities.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation involves taking medicine by mouth right before the appointment. This medication helps your child feel very relaxed and maybe a bit sleepy, but they can still respond to voices and gentle touch. With oral sedation, many children don’t even remember their dental visit afterward.
IV Sedation
We offer IV sedation for children who feel very anxious or need more extensive dental work. This type of sedation puts your child into a sleep-like state during their treatment. It’s administered and monitored by specially trained professionals who focus solely on your child’s comfort and safety.
How Sedation Dentistry Helps Children
Every child is different when it comes to dental visits. Some get a little nervous, while others might feel really scared. And sometimes, kids need quite a bit of dental work done, which can mean a lot of appointments.
Fortunately, sedation dentistry can help. With the right sedation type, kids feel more relaxed during their visit. And sometimes, we can get all their treatment done in just one appointment instead of many visits.
Sedation is also quite helpful for kids who have trouble sitting in the dental chair for a while, get bothered by the sounds and sensations of dental work, or have a strong gag reflex. By making dental care more comfortable, sedation dentistry helps kids build confidence and feel more at ease during future visits.
Our Commitment to Safe Sedation Practices
Nothing is more important than keeping your child safe. That’s why every member of our team has special training in pediatric sedation, and we follow strict safety guidelines before, during, and after every procedure.
- Before: Our team will ask about your child’s health history and any medications they currently take. We’ll walk you through everything, including what will happen at the visit and how to prepare.
- During: We’ll closely monitor your child throughout the entire appointment. A trained team member uses special equipment to watch your child’s vitals closely and reports any changes right away.
- Afterward: We’ll make sure you know exactly how to care for your child at home. We’ll give you our phone number, too, so you can always reach us if you have any questions or concerns.
Every step we take is designed to provide the highest level of care for your child. We aim to ensure their safety and comfort while delivering the dental treatment they need.
Common Procedures Performed Under Sedation
Some of the dental work we commonly do with sedation includes:
- Fixing Cavities
- Repairing Chipped Teeth
- Putting on Crowns
- Treating Tooth Infections
- Removing Baby Teeth
We can also use sedation for children who need deep cleanings or even just have a hard time getting X-rays taken.
We can often complete all your child’s dental work in one visit when using sedation. Instead of coming back multiple times, your child can get everything done while relaxing comfortably through their visit.
Your child will wake up with their dental work finished, and many kids don’t even remember the treatment. This often makes future routine visits much easier, helping build a lifetime of positive dental experiences.
Is Sedation Dentistry Right for Your Child?
As a parent, you want to make the best choices for your child’s dental care. When it comes to sedation dentistry, it’s natural to have questions. Is it really necessary? Is it safe? How do I know if it’s the right choice?
The truth is, while sedation can be incredibly helpful for some children, it’s not always needed. Regular dental visits without sedation work great for many kids.
Before recommending sedation, we look at several important factors, such as:
- Your Child’s Age
- Anxiety Levels
- Overall Health
- Specific Dental Needs
- Past Dental Care Experiences
Think of sedation as one tool in our toolbox. It’s not our first choice for every situation, but it can be precisely what some children need. Our goal is to find the right solution for your child.
To do that, we’ll help you weigh the pros and cons during your initial consultation appointment. We’re here to answer all your questions, go over what to expect, and help you make an informed decision about your child’s dental care.
What to Expect During Your Child’s Sedation Dentistry Appointment
Let’s walk through a typical sedation dentistry visit so you know exactly how the day will go. After all, a little preparation makes everything easier for you and your child.
We’ll call a few days before your appointment to remind you about the important preparation steps. Depending on the type of sedation, this might include when your child should stop eating or drinking or when to take the oral sedative medication. We’ll also remind you to bring their favorite stuffed animal or blanket if they’d like.
Once you arrive for your appointment, we’ll help your child get cozy in the dental chair while we set up the monitoring equipment. Many parents find it comforting to know their child will be closely watched throughout the entire visit. For most types of sedation, you can stay with your child until they’re comfortable and drifting off to sleep, if not for the whole visit.
During treatment, you can relax in our waiting area if you’d like. We’ll keep you updated on how things are going. Once we’re finished, you’ll join us while your child wakes up. Keep in mind that every child wakes up differently. Some are chatty, others are sleepy, and that’s all perfectly normal.
Before you head home, we’ll give you clear after-care instructions. Remember, your child will need to take it easy and have someone keep a close eye on them while the sedation wears off completely.
How to Schedule Your Child’s Sedation Dentistry Visit
Ready to take the next step? Getting started is easy. Just give us a call and we’ll help you set up a consultation to discuss sedation dentistry in Englewood.
At the first visit, we’ll go over your child’s dental needs, review their health history, and answer all your questions. If sedation dentistry seems like a good fit, we can schedule their treatment appointment right away.
Our team will help you with insurance paperwork and explain payment options. We’ll also give you detailed instructions to prepare for the appointment, so you’ll feel confident about what to expect.
Have questions before scheduling? We’re happy to help. Call us anytime during office hours to learn more about how we can make your child’s dental visit a comfortable, stress-free experience.