Sedation:

At SmileTown: Just Kids Dentistry we specialize in dental sedation, we range from minimal sedation to deep sedation. We use specialized techniques to help your children feel relaxed and comfortable during their dental procedure.

What is Dental Sedation?

Dental sedation involves the use of medication to help your child feel relaxed and calm during their dental treatment. It’s sometimes referred as sleep dentistry.

What is the Purpose of Dental Sedation?

The primary reason for dental sedation is to help alleviate anxiety and dental phobia. This can make the experience a positive one for your child if they can just wake up with a brand new smile without even realizing it.

What are the Different Types of Sedation?

There are four different types of dental sedation that you can choose from. It ranges from Awake, Nitrous Oxide, Oral Sedation, General Anaesthesia.

Nitrous Oxide:

Nitrous Oxide is also known as laughing gas, this is inhaled through a mask that we like to call the elephant nose and produces a mild level of sedation to help the child feel relaxed but still conscious. This method of sedation would be great for children who have mild dental anxiety.

Oral Sedation:

This method involves taking an oral medication prior to being put in the chair. This is an easy way to make the child drink it.This method involves the child taking an oral medication prior to being put into the dental chair. This liquid at SmileTown: Just Kids Dentistry tastes like chocolate milk! This oral medication then makes them dozy but still conscious. This method is great for children with mild to moderate dental anxiety.

IV Sedation:

This method is done on an intravenous line, this will go directly through the child’s bloodstream and they will induce a deeper level of sedation and relaxation. This method would be best for children with severe anxiety or children who need complex procedures done.

General Anaesthesia:

This method gives the child complete pain relief while they are unconscious. This method is ideal for extreme dental phobia, extensive procedures need to be completed or for special needs.

What are the considerations for Dental Sedation?

Dental sedation is great for helping reduce your child’s dental anxiety. However, patient health should be considered before any administration of sedation. This conversation will be done at the consultation with one of our doctors. Each type of dental sedation and duration will influence the choice of the method and the dosage. Another factor that will be considered is how strong their childs’ dental anxiety is.

What are the Benefits of Dental Sedation?

The main benefits of having dental sedation done is that it can alleviate any stress that your child may be facing. It also promotes relaxation and comfort during their complex and long dental procedures. In addition, if the child is misbehaved, sedation can make the child be more cooperative and allow the dentist to perform the procedure more efficiently and accurately.

To conclude, dental sedation is great for any child that has dental phobia, misbehaved or for children with special needs. By understanding the benefits of each method you can decide which would be best for your child.

If you have any questions about our various sedation options or concerns, please call SmileTown: Just Kids Dentistry at (519) 749-9981 or submit a form here.