Many children have a hard time sitting still, which can make dental care difficult. Others may be fearful or anxious about visiting the dentist. However, with sedation options, we can ensure your child stays comfortable and relaxed during their visit, so every trip to the dentist is a positive experience.
Why Should I Choose Pediatric Sedation?
Sedation is really useful for kids. Just like adults, children are often nervous about dental procedures like fillings, or even oral exams and teeth cleanings. Sedation keeps your child calm and comfortable. It also makes it easier for your dentist to treat them, particularly if your little one is active and tends to move around a lot. Keeping them still and comfortable lets their pediatric dentist focus on the procedure and provide better overall care. Your child’s safety is our number one priority! Our in-office sedation options include nitrous oxide and IV sedation. Learn more about these options below.
Laughing Gas for Little Smiles
The most mild form of sedation, nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas or minimally inhaled sedation, is a safe way to ensure your child stays relaxed during their treatment.
In-Office IV Sedation Available
Administered by a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist, IV sedation is delivered directly to the bloodstream, putting your child into a state of deep relaxation. Ideal for those with severe anxiety or other special needs, this deep sedation can help patients get the care they need.
Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
Rest assured that your child is receiving top-notch, specialized care with our Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Amie Shah. To be recognized by The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, doctors must undergo extensive training in the pediatric field in addition to their standard dental degrees.
The Benefits of Pediatric Sedation
Manage Fear & Dental Anxiety
Seeing the dentist can be scary for kids of all ages, particularly for procedures like fillings. With sedation, your little one can sit back, relax, and feel more comfortable throughout their entire appointment with their pediatric dentist.
Eliminate Pain & Discomfort
Along with local numbing, sedation is extremely effective at controlling any potential pain and discomfort that your little one may experience during their treatment. This makes their treatment easier and gives you peace of mind.
Mitigate Gag Reflex, Fear Of Needles
Some types of sedation can help minimize the gag reflex, which is really useful if your child needs work to be done on their rear teeth and has a sensitive gag reflex. It can also help alleviate fear of needles, as your child will be more relaxed before we administer local anesthesia. In some cases, your child may not even need to be numb for the procedure if we are utilizing nitrous oxide or IV sedation!
The Pediatric Sedation Treatment Process
Initial Consultation & Approval
Before your child can be sedated, their pediatric dentist in Florham Park will discuss their health history, medications, supplements, and other details with you to make sure they can be sedated safely. If your child is approved, their pediatric dentist will discuss their options for sedation, and which one may be right for their situation.
Preparation & Sedation
If you need to do anything special to prepare for their appointment, your child’s pediatric dentist will let you know. Then, you’ll come to our office as scheduled, and your child will be sedated for their appointment. They’ll be able to relax and get their treatment in a comfortable, child-friendly environment.
Sedation Aftercare
Depending on the type of sedation, your child may recover from sedation within just a few minutes, or may require some special aftercare and monitoring after their appointment. Your pediatric dentist will give you all the details you need to care for your little one after their treatment.
DID YOU KNOW?
Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas” was first used in dental sedation way back in 1844. Today, it’s still the most common sedation method for kids.
Before & Afters
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is sedation used in dentistry?
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Sedation is most often used to treat dental anxiety and keep children at ease during their treatment. Fear of the dentist is very common, and sedation can keep your child calm during their appointments.
Additionally, sedation helps with pain and discomfort during more invasive procedures, such as tooth extractions. It also helps young patients feel more comfortable if they need to sit still for longer treatment times.
Is sedation dentistry right for my child?
As long as your child is healthy and is not taking any medications that may interfere with the sedation, your child should be a good candidate for sedation dentistry. Contact us at 973-210-4910 to learn more about sedation options for your child. We can discuss any concerns you may have during a consultation.
What does sedation dentistry feel like for my child?
This depends on the method of sedation. With laughing gas, your child will feel light-headed, giggly, and relaxed, but will be fully conscious and aware of their surroundings. They will also feel less discomfort during treatment.
IV sedation is a deeper level of sedation. Your child will be completely asleep and will not feel anything or remember anything from the procedure.
Is sedation dentistry safe for toddlers?
When done correctly, sedation dentistry for children, even toddlers, is completely safe. Several precautions are taken to ensure a seamless experience. First, we’ll take a detailed health history to make sure we recommend the right sedation option. We’ll then discuss options with the parent or guardian so that you understand the effects and are prepared to care for your child after their procedure. All methods of sedation dentistry are provided by professionals at our office so you can rest assured that your child’s well-being is of the utmost importance.
Have more questions?
