Sedation Dentistry

Nitrous Oxide

Some children are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may know as laughing gas, to relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases: oxygen and nitrous oxide.

Nitrous oxide/oxygen is given through a small breathing mask which is placed over the child’s nose, encouraging him or her to relax, but without putting the patient to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes this as a very safe, effective technique to use for treating children’s dental needs.

The gas is mild and 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 keeps all natural reflexes.

Prior to your appointment:

Please inform us of any change to your son or daughter’s health and/or medical condition.
Tell us about any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child. It may limit the effectiveness of the nitrous oxide/oxygen.
Let us know if your little one is taking any medication on the day of the appointment.

Conscious Sedation

Conscious sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs. It is used to calm the patient and to reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments. Your child may be quite drowsy, and may even fall asleep, but he or she will not become unconscious.

A variety of different medications can be used for conscious sedation. Dr. Clark will prescribe the medication best suited for your child’s overall health and dental treatment recommendations. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning the specific drugs we plan to give to your youngster.

Prior to your appointment:

Please notify us of any change in your child’s health and/or medical condition. Do not bring him or her for treatment with a fever, ear infection, or cold. Should your little one become ill, contact us to see whether it is advisable to postpone the appointment.
You must tell us about any drugs your child is currently taking and any drug reactions and/or change in medical history.
Please dress your son or daughter in loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.
Please make sure that your youngster goes to the bathroom immediately before arriving at the office.
Your child should not have solid food for at least six hours prior to the sedation appointment, and only clear liquids for up to four hours before the appointment.
The child’s parent or legal guardian must remain at the office during the complete procedure.
Please watch your little one closely while the medication takes effect. Hold him or her in your lap or keep close to you. Do not let the patient “run around.”
Your child will act drowsy and may become slightly excited at first.

After the sedation appointment:

Your child will be drowsy and need to be monitored closely. Keep your him or her away from areas of potential harm.
If your youngster wants to sleep, place the patient on his or her side with the chin up. Wake your little one every hour and encourage the patient to have something to drink in order to prevent dehydration. At first, it is best to give your child sips of clear liquids to prevent nausea. The first meal should be light and easily digestible.
If your child vomits, help him or her bend over and turn the head to one side to ensure the child does not inhale the vomit.
Because we use local anesthetic to numb your child’s mouth during the procedure, he or she may have a tendency to bite or chew the lips, cheeks, and/or tongue and/or rub and scratch the face after treatment. Please observe your child carefully to prevent any injury to these areas.

Please call our office for any questions or concerns you might have.

Outpatient General Anesthesia

Outpatient general anesthesia is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs when conscious sedation or I.V. sedation might not be sufficient. General anesthesia renders your child completely asleep.

This would be the same as if he/she was having the tonsils removed, ear tubes, or hernia repaired. The procedure is performed in a hospital or outpatient setting only. While the assumed risks are greater than those for other treatment options, if this is suggested for your child, the benefits of treatment have been deemed to outweigh the risks.

Most pediatric medical literature places the risk of a serious reaction in the range of 1 in 25,000 to 1 in 200,000: far better than the assumed risk of even driving a car every day. The inherent risks if this is not chosen are multiple appointments, potential for physical restraint to complete treatment, and possible emotional and/or physical injury to your child in order to complete the dental treatment.

The risks of NO treatment include tooth pain, infection, swelling, the spread of new decay, damage to the developing adult teeth, and possible life-threatening hospitalization because of a dental infection.

Prior to your appointment:

Please notify us of any change in your child’s health. Do not bring him or her for treatment with a fever, ear infection, or cold. Should your son or daughter become ill, contact us to see whether it might be advisable to postpone the appointment.
You must tell Dr. Clark about any drugs your child is currently taking and any drug reactions and/or change in medical history.
Please dress your son or daughter in loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.
Your child should not have milk or solid food after midnight prior to the scheduled procedure, and clear liquids ONLY (water, apple juice, Gatorade) for up to six hours prior to the appointment.
The child’s parent or legal guardian must remain at the hospital or surgical site waiting room during the entire procedure.

After the appointment:

Your child will be drowsy and need to be monitored closely. Keep him or her away from areas of potential harm.
If your youngster wants to sleep, place the patient on one side with the chin up. Wake your little one every hour and encourage him or her to have something to drink in order to prevent dehydration. At first, it is best to give a child sips of clear liquids to prevent nausea. The first meal should be light and easily digestible.
If your son or daughter vomits, help your child bend over and turn the head to the side to insure the patient does not inhale the vomit.
Prior to leaving the hospital/outpatient center, you will be given a detailed list of “Post-Op Instructions” and an emergency contact number if needed.