Riverview Pediatric Dentist

Sedation Dentistry uses medication to help your child relax for a better dental care experience. Sedation dentistry can even help patients with severe dental anxiety.

Sedation dentistry offers many benefits to meet your individual needs. Sedation allows your body to relax more completely. This increases the effectiveness of local anesthesia. Sedation dentistry reduces the sensation of passing time. This can be very useful if your child needs complex or multiple treatments in a single sitting. It also prevents their muscles from stiffening or becoming sore due to spending extended periods of time in one position.

To ensure we provide the best fit for each patient, we offer three different types of sedation dentistry: Nitrous Oxide, Oral Conscious Sedation, and Intravenous Sedation. In every case, your child’s sedation is closely monitored by experienced dental professionals who ensure your child’s safety and comfort.

Nitrous Oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is a mild dental sedation medication. Once inhaled, it induces a state of mild relaxation. It also reduces sensitivity to pain. Nitrous Oxide is safe for virtually every patient, regardless of age. Following treatment, oxygen is used to neutralize the effects of the nitrous oxide. Once this is complete, your child will be fully alert.

Intravenous Sedation, or IV Sedation, is generally used with shorter treatment sessions. The effects are immediate and may cause your child to feel as though you slept through the treatment. They may feel groggy when the IV is stopped, but this will fade over the next few hours. In office IVs are administered by a pediatric anesthesiologist.

Your child’s safety is our top priority. At your appointment, be sure to tell us:

• Any prescription medications or over-the-counter medications they are taking
• Any herbal or nutritional supplements they are using
• Any allergies they have, particularly medication reactions
• Any health conditions they have
• Any questions or concerns you may have about their treatment or about sedation dentistry

For more information about using sedation dentistry with your child’s next treatment, contact Dr. Jenny’s Pediatric Dental Office.