Sedation Dentistry
Not feeling relaxed in the dental chair can be one of the leading causes of apprehension when it comes time to scheduling a child’s checkup or treatment appointment. That is nothing to be ashamed of as 91% of adults have the same sense of nervousness when it comes to the dentist. A significant number of families simply do not take their children to the dentist because their children suffer from ‘dental anxiety’. KidZdent understands these feelings and wants to help provide your family with proper health and oral care. If your child is anxious at the dentist or has special needs, pediatric sedation dentistry in Old Bridge at KidZdent is an excellent way to ensure your child has a positive dental experience.
Contact us today to ask how we can create the best possible atmosphere for dental care and dental sedation.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry, or more commonly referred to as ‘sleep dentistry’ (although misleading because the child or adult is technically not asleep), is the administering of medication to relieve anxiety and help children relax during their dental assessment or treatments. Patients are traditionally awake during the process with the exception of those who are under general anesthesia in the hospital. Oral sedation is one of the available methods of conscious sedation dentistry, along with inhalation sedation (nitrous oxide) and conscious intravenous sedation.
Is your child a candidate for ‘Dental Sedation’?
A child’s overall health is a major component when it comes to determining whether or not they are able to safely undergo certain types of sedation. A child may require medical clearance from their primary physician if they suffer from any of the following:
- Cardiac disease
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Respiratory diseases
Our Old Bridge sedation dentists will request a complete medical history and thorough physical assessment before proceeding.
KidZdent patients who are considering sedation dentistry often have different reasons for their interest, including:
- Phobia related to dental procedures
- Bad experience with dental work in the past
- Difficulty cooperating due to age
- Behavioral Issues
- General anxiety disorder and apprehension
- Special Needs
- Etc.
If any of the concerns above seem recognizable, sedation dentistry may be the best option for your child. Dental sedation is typically used to assist patients with dental treatment such as, fillings, root canals, extractions, and more. It may not be typical to offer dental sedation for regular dental cleanings, radiographs, and other routine care, but in cases of extreme tension and concern sedation may be a viable option.
The Benefits of Pediatric Sedation Dentistry
Old Bridge NJ sedation dentistry is mistakenly thought to induce sleep. In fact, most sedatives allow the patient to stay awake during the procedure. While drowsiness is a side effect of some medications, nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation are only intended to minimize anxiety, rather than put your child directly to sleep.
Sedation dentistry at KidZdent might be the best solution for you if you seem to be putting off dental work because of anxiety, fear or any other special need. When choosing to ignore issues like dental caries, loose or broken teeth, or other oral health issues, you may be putting your child’s health at risk. Furthermore, an avoidable problem might become more complicated as time passes, which could mean your child would need more extensive dental work in the future.
Most sedatives can be taken by mouth and work effectively. Another benefit is sedation medications make it difficult for your child to recall details of the procedure. For kids who are scared of the dentist, this forgetfulness is comfortable and pleasant. Safety and compliance are two important aspects of treatments; therefore sedation dentistry offers both the child and the dentist a supreme alternative for achieving the best results.
Conscious Sedation: Nitrous Oxide and Oral Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs. It is used to calm your child and to reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments. At KidZdent, an Old Bridge sedation dentist will determine the best medication for your child’s situation and provide oral sedation using the one of the following medications listed below:
1. Chlorol-Hydrate/Vistaril, which is administered as a juice in the office is an antihistamine with sedative properties used to treat anxiety and tension.
2. Versed, which is also administered as a juice, is short-acting and works well for shorter appointments.
3. Valium can be administered in pill form.
4. Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, is provided through a small breathing mask placed over the child’s nose, allowing them to relax. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes this technique as a highly safe and effective. The gas is mild, easily taken, then with normal breathing; it is quickly eliminated from the body. It is non-addictive. While inhaling nitrous oxide/oxygen, your child remains fully conscious and the effects dissipate when administration is discontinued.
During their dental sedation appointment at KidZdent, your child will be calmer. For some, the use of therapeutic wraps to limit movement may be required to safely complete the treatment. An Old Bridge sedation dentist takes all steps necessary to ensure your child’s safety and inform you of any health concerns regarding oral sedation. Talk to our team about how we can help alleviate side effects and ensure your child recovers comfortably.
Additional Options: Intravenous Sedation
I.V. Sedation is recommended for children who cannot be soothed with oral conscious sedation medication. Our pediatric dentists perform this sedation treatment in our office with the help of a licensed anesthesiologist who administers medication and monitors your child while under our care.
Success with your Old Bridge sedation dentist
Your child deserves the best. Sedation dentistry allows dentists to accomplish more during each office visit, reducing the number visits a child may need – which often means time and value is added back into the equation for parents. As important, if not more important, sedation dentistry helps children conquer their fears or anxiety so they will not develop a lifelong phobia of dental visits. Every child should be individually and carefully evaluated for his/her suitability.
Do you have questions about pediatric dental sedation? Contact KidZdent today to learn more about how we can help. We are committed to providing soothing and comforting sedation dentistry in Old Bridge to ensure your child develops self-confidence at our dental office.
Get in Touch
Have questions or need any help from our team? Reach out to us below and one of our team members will get in touch with you as soon as we see your request.