Services

Sedation Dentistry

iKids Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics offers safe, comfortable, and effective sedation dentistry for your child. If your child requires dental treatment such as tooth extraction, root canal, or oral surgery, you can be assured that they will be in the best possible hands with our professional team and qualified dentists.

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What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry helps children feel relaxed, calm, and at ease during dental procedures. There are several ways to administer dental sedation, and it can benefit our guests in many ways.

Who requires sedation dentistry?

Children and people of all ages can benefit from sedation dentistry. Your dentist will recommend this option to individuals with:

Special needs (behavioral, cognitive, or physical)
Decreased sensitivity to anesthesia
Difficulty controlling movements
Feeling claustrophobic at the dentist
Extreme teeth sensitivity
Fear of needles
Sensitive gag reflex
General dental anxiety

What are the different types of sedation?

At iKids Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we administer dental sedation in three ways. Your child’s pediatric specialist will consider factors such as the length of the procedure, your child’s level of anxiety, health history, as well as your parental preferences. The three most common types of sedation dentistry are nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and intravenous (IV) sedation.

How is dental sedation administered?

The three levels of dental sedation are administered in the following ways:

Nitrous Oxide – Mild sedation:

Nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas, is inhaled through a nosepiece or mask, and the calming, euphoric effects begin within three to five minutes. The amount of nitrous gas is controlled by our team members at all times and is adjusted accordingly throughout the procedure. Once the treatment is over, your pediatric specialist will give your child pure oxygen to flush out the remaining nitrous oxide.

Oral conscious sedation – Moderate sedation:

Our pediatric specialist will give your child a sedative medication, in the form of a pill or liquid, about an hour before the procedure begins. Oral sedation has a slightly stronger effect than nitrous oxide, creating a sleepy or drowsy feeling without being completely sedated or asleep.

Intravenous (IV) sedation – Deep sedation:

IV sedation is the deepest level of conscious sedation available at our dental offices. Your dentist and anesthesiologist will administer sedative medications directly into the bloodstream using an IV drip. During the procedure, your dentist and anesthesiologist will closely monitor your child’s blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels, and they can adjust the dosage at any point. This type of sedation is best for guests with extreme dental anxiety or those who undergo oral surgery, as guests have little to no memory of their treatment when they wake up.

What are the benefits of sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is beneficial because it helps guests remain calm and comfortable throughout dental procedures. Your dentist can work faster when the patient is under sedation, resulting in fewer appointments. Many guests, whether children or adults, experience dental anxiety and avoid the dentist, but sedation dentistry helps the patient feel more comfortable while receiving care.

Are there side effects to pediatric sedation?

Sedation dentistry is safe for children, but as a parent, it is important to feel comfortable and prepared after your child’s procedure. Sometimes the sedation effects can be slow to wear off. Should this be the case, your dentist will continue to monitor your child until they are ready to go home.

Child sedation side effects are short-lived and can include: