Sedation dentistry is using medication during a dental procedure to help a patient feel relaxed in the dental chair and be as comfortable as possible. Although sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry,” patients are usually awake during the procedure except in the rare case where they need to be put under general anesthesia.
How is Sedation Dentistry done?
There are various ways in which sedation dentistry is administered including:
- Inhaled minimal sedation – The most common is inhalation of nitrous oxide. You might know this method as using laughing gas. And for good reason! People describe the effect as feeling calm. The actual gas used is nitrous oxide combined with oxygen given by the dentist through a gas mask that is placed over the nose. This is a very mild and minimal form of sedation.
- Oral sedation– Used for minimal to moderate sedation. This is typically administered in liquid form and is given to the patient about half an hour before the procedure. This form of sedation will make your child drowsy, but they will still be awake. The dosage is adjusted for the child’s age and weight, and the level of sedation needed. All children are prescreened to ensure they qualify for this form of sedation.
- IV sedation – A stronger form of sedation is given through an IV directly into the patient’s bloodstream, enabling it to work more quickly. It is administered by a dental anesthesiologist who can continually adjust the level of sedation throughout the procedure. When IV sedation is used, all of the work required for the procedure will be done in one visit. Unlike the other forms of sedation, the patient is not awake during the procedure. All children are prescreened to ensure they qualify for this form of sedation.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe For kids?
If a child is absolutely terrified of going to the dentist and cannot relax enough to cooperate with the dentist, sedation is a good option. All of our pediatric dentists have completed special training in order to provide this type of oral sedation to children. Our dentists always take into account your child’s age and weight when determining the correct dosage and will speak with you about the different sedation options so that you are involved in helping to decide what is the right course of action for your child. All of that said, at Let’s Smile we use oral sedation sparingly – if it’s not necessary, there’s no need to introduce additional medication to your child’s system.