Pediatric Sedation Dentistry in Atlanta, GA
At Children’s Dentistry of Atlanta, our team is committed to your child’s comfort during treatment, which is why we offer different sedation dentistry options for children that can help to reduce dental anxieties and help kids relax during care. Some children experience anxiety associated with going to the dentist, and especially with more complex dental treatments, dental anxiety can potentially impact the effectiveness of your child’s treatment. Pediatric sedation dentistry is a completely safe and effective means of allowing kids to experience different levels of relaxation through sedation, which children may require due to:
- General dental fears
- Difficulties with remaining still for extended lengths of time
- A natural resistance to sedatives
Calming Nerves With Sedation Dentistry
The team at Children’s Dentistry of Atlanta offers several different sedation dentistry options that allow our team to safely help children relax during care. Sedatives are administered through inhalation or ingestion, and include nitrous oxide as well as a safe prescription medication that both help your child experience more comfort and relaxation while undergoing care.
Levels of Sedation
Sedation dentistry allows your child to not feel or experience any discomfort while undergoing care, avoid fears and dental anxieties, and to feel “asleep” during the entirety of their procedure. There are different levels of sedation that can be administered, depending on how mild or severe your child’s dental anxieties are.
- Mild Sedation – more mild sedatives are given through a very light dose of a prescription medication, and results in your child feeling mildly sleepy while undergoing care. This sedation typically lasts for one-to-three hours.
- Moderate Sedation – for children who require moderate sedation, this can take the form of inhaled or ingested sedatives and are used for more invasive treatments that require longer visits. This is also referred to conscious sedation, as your child does not experience a state of being “asleep.”
- Deep Sedation – children who require deep sedation experience a state of being “asleep” during their treatment, and typically have little to no memory of their procedure. Deep sedation also helps your child avoid any pain or discomfort during care almost entirely, allowing for a comfortable and relaxing experience. Deep sedation may be required for more advanced procedures or for children who experience higher-than-normal levels of anxiety associated with going to the dentist. It’s our mission at Children’s Dentistry of Atlanta to help kids learn to love coming to the dentist and to enjoy taking care of their smiles!
Speak with our knowledgeable team at Children’s Dentistry of Atlanta today to learn more about sedation dentistry and how it can help your child enjoy a more comfortable and relaxed dental experience!
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Commonly known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide sedation is a common method of sedation for kids given the ability for it to be administered easily, as well as its ability to provide different levels of sedation depending on your child’s needs. Nitrous oxide is a sedative that is inhaled through the use of mask that is placed over the nose.
Your child will be fully conscious when nitrous oxide is used and will be able to speak and respond to commands. Some children may require nitrous oxide at an early age due to dental anxieties or treatment needs. Our team at Children’s Dentistry of Atlanta works with each child and their parents to ensure that we select the best method of providing treatment, including potentially sedation dentistry, based on their specific needs!
In Office IV Sedation
We offer different types of sedation dentistry at Children’s Dentistry of Atlanta that each provide children with a different level of sedation depending on their age, dental anxiety, and the amount of treatment they require. One of these sedation methods is intravenous, or IV, sedation. This is the most controlled method of sedation, and is typically used in cases where children require moderate to full sedation, allowing children to feel “asleep” while having more invasive procedures performed.
Our team at Children’s Dentistry of Atlanta is highly skilled and experienced in pediatric sedation dentistry, and is capable of providing your child with the level of comfort needed to ensure a safe, effective, and enjoyable treatment experience.
IV sedation, as with all forms of sedation dentistry, is administered only after our team meets with you and your child for a consultation, routine exam or hygiene appointment, in which the need for a certain procedure is identified.
Then, our team will discuss potential sedation dentistry options that best address your child’s needs. Some children may be able to benefit most from IV sedation, whereas some kids may be better suited for inhaled nitrous oxide sedation. Our team is committed to working with each child and parent individually to find the best sedation dentistry solution for you!
IV Sedation FAQs:
Parents often have questions about IV sedation regarding safety, what their child will experience while sedated, and how long the effects of sedatives can be expected to last. Some common questions for our staff at Children’s Dentistry of Atlanta include:
- What effects will my child experience while sedated?
Children undergoing direct IV sedation will feel “asleep” during care, and will not be conscious while undergoing treatment. This allows your child to not experience any pain or discomfort while undergoing care.
- Does IV sedation allow my child to be “asleep” during treatment?
Your child will be very relaxed and will not be responsive to verbal commands. Your child will have little to no memory of their treatment.
- How safe is sedation for kids?
IV sedation and sedation dentistry for kids in general is a safe and effective way to allow kids to avoid most pain or discomfort that can often occur with more invasive dental treatments. Our team at Children’s Dentistry of Atlanta will always meet with patients and their parents one-on-one to first determine which dental treatments are needed for optimal oral health and then discuss sedation dentistry options if needed.
- How long do the effects of sedation last?
This depends on the level of sedation that is administered as well as your child’s age and physical size. For more minimal sedation, the effects can wear off in a few minutes prior to leaving our office. For deep or IV sedation, it’s recommended that these patients always rest upon arriving home, as these effects can last for several hours. In most cases of pediatric IV sedation, your child should rest upon leaving our office and should not attend school or participate in any activities the day of sedation.
- How do I know if my child can benefit from sedation dentistry?
Some children simply experience greater levels of nervousness or anxiety when visiting the dentist than others, and any children who naturally feel high levels of anxiety when visiting the dentist are candidates for sedation dentistry. Qualities that would make children candidates for sedation during dental care include:
- Pre-cooperative age
- Dental fears or general anxiety associated with going to the dentist.
- Anxiety associated with shots and needles
- Negative dental experiences in the past that have caused anxiety associated with going to the dentist
- Children who are particularly sensitive to light, cold sensations and noise
- Children undergoing more invasive dental treatments that are likely to result in discomfort
It’s our goal at Children’s Dentistry of Atlanta to ensure your child’s safety and comfort while undergoing care in our facility. Speak with our staff today to learn more about sedation dentistry options at Children’s Dentistry of Atlanta and how your child may be able to benefit from them!
What Our Happy Parents Say
Our Services
Dentistry for Infants, Toddlers, Children & Teens
Routine Preventative Care
Restorative Care
Nitrous Oxide & Sedation Dentistry
Dental Emergencies
Meet Your Dentists
