Pediatric Sedation Dentistry in Greensboro

Sedation is sometimes needed for our pediatric dentistry patients to get the care they need.

Few people enjoy making time to take a trip to the dentist. Thousands of adults put off trips to the dentist every year out of fear, and children may have a hard time with dental visits as well. At Lake Jeanette Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, we help your nervous or special needs child overcome their fears so they can get the dental work that they need for a healthy mouth.

If you have considered sedating your child for dentistry, read on to learn about the process.

Options for Sedating Your Child for Dentistry

Our dental professionals understand the sedation methods that work for you as an adult may not be the best choice for your child. We offer several pediatric sedation options and work closely with you to determine which choice best fits your child’s needs.

Our office uses the following types of sedation dentistry:

• Conscious sedation – Your child takes a liquid medication in our office just before treatment to make them feel calm and drowsy.
• Nitrous oxide (N2O) sedation – Also referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide gas is mixed with oxygen. Your child inhales it during treatment to feel relaxed and at ease. The gas offers very mild sedation that wears off within minutes once removed.
• General Anesthesia – For children who need stronger sedation, our dental anesthesiologists can administer and monitor medication through an IV that helps your child sleep through their cleaning or restorative care. It allows us to work efficiently without compromising your child’s care or safety.
• Out-patient hospital visit – If your child has special needs or a pre-existing medical condition and requires full sedation, we may recommend they be put under at a hospital facility.

Our dental team does all it can to ensure your child remains safe while in our care, but we make their safety after they leave a priority as well. Depending on which sedation method your child has received, we may require a second adult to join you at your child’s appointment to care for your child on the drive home while you focus on the road.

Sedating Your Child: Are They a Good Candidate?

Not every child benefits from sedation. To determine whether your child qualifies, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Does your child have trouble sitting still in the dental chair?
• Does mentioning the dentist to your child fill them with anxiety?
• Do local anesthetics not sufficiently numb your child?
• Does your child have a sensitive gag reflex?
• Is your child sensitive to pain?
• Has your child had previous negative dental experiences?

If any of these issues resonate, we suggest you call our office for a sedation consultation. We’ll help evaluate your situation to find the best dentistry sedation solution for your child’s needs to make their next visit as painless as possible.

Negative dental experiences can be traumatic for a child. Sedating your child for dentistry can protect their developing mind and ensure a safe experience for all. For more information on sedation dentistry and how it may benefit your child, we invite you to contact our Lake Jeanette Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry team. Call us today at 336-286-0200.