Pflugerville, TX
Sedation
Compassionate Pediatric Sedation Dentist in Pflugerville, TX
What Is Pediatric Sedation Dentistry?
Pediatric sedation dentistry is the administration of medication that can make your child feel more comfortable during pediatric dental care procedures. Different levels and types of dental sedation can induce a state of relaxation, calm nerves and jitters, and reduce consciousness or induce unconsciousness. The most common types of dental sedation for kids are nitrous oxide and oral sedation.
Does Your Child Need a Sedation Dentist?
Dental sedation is a safe, effective way to ease your child’s anxiety, prevent pain and discomfort, and make dental visits and procedures easier and more comfortable. Your child might need to visit a pediatric sedation dentist if they:
- Are very young and need extensive dental work
- Have a severe gag reflex
- Are undergoing a lengthy or complex procedure like a root canal
- Are undergoing an invasive procedure like a tooth extraction
- Have severe anxiety
- Have an intense fear of visiting the dentist
- Have special needs or a condition that affects their ability to sit still during a dental procedure
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry for Kids
Sedation dentistry for kids can manage fear, discomfort, and anxiety and make dental visits faster and more productive. Dr. Bain and our team of experienced and compassionate dental professionals have extensive experience working with children of all ages who have dental fear and anxiety. We also have experience working with special needs children who need dental sedation for routine procedures like dental fillings and dental crowns. The biggest benefits of sedation dentistry for kids are:
- Improved cooperation
- Better quality of care
- A more positive experience at the dentist
- Ease in getting complex, lengthy, or invasive dental procedures that are necessary for their oral health and overall health
- Reduced fear and anxiety
- Increased comfort and relaxation
- Fewer or no memories of an uncomfortable procedure
- Pain-free dental procedures
Safe, Effective Methods of Pediatric Dental Sedation
We offer safe, effective methods of pediatric dental sedation that can ease comfort and anxiety during routine and complex dental procedures. We can use dental sedation for kids undergoing dental exams, teeth cleaning, lengthy procedures, nonsurgical dental procedures, and invasive or surgical procedures. We offer the following types of dental sedation:
IV Sedation for Kids
This is also called general anesthesia and is used for extensive dental work, invasive or complex procedures, or lengthy procedures. It is very effective for children with severe anxiety, behavioral problems, or special needs.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is a sedative that is administered in pill form and puts patients in a much deeper state of relaxation. Our oral sedation pediatric dentist frequently uses this with patients receiving complex dental procedures.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a colorless, odorless gas inhaled through a mask placed over the mouth and nose. The gas puts the patient in a state of relaxation, and the name laughing gas was given due to the state of optimism the patient reaches.
Understanding Safety Considerations &Side Effects
We encourage parents to talk to us about how we can make dental care more comfortable for their children. Fear or a special needs condition shouldn’t keep your child from receiving the care they need. We’ll work with you and your child to find a healthy and safe solution to make their experience at our practice more pleasant. We will review your child’s medical history thoroughly to ensure sedation is safe for your child. Our experienced dental professionals will carefully monitor your child’s vital signs during the procedure and make sure you are prepared to provide after care if necessary.
One thing to remember is that sedation can last for hours after the treatment. Being prepared for a recovery period at home after the appointment is important. The most common side effects of dental sedation are nausea, vomiting, headache, dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, and irritability.