What is Pediatric Sedation Dentistry?

Pediatric sedation dentistry uses medication to help your child relax and not feel discomfort during a dental procedure. Some children may become distressed or experience discomfort when having certain dental tests or treatments. Sedation is given to reduce their anxiety and help them remain calm and comfortable, ensuring the procedure is done with as little discomfort or distress to your child as possible. 

Why Would My Child Need Pediatric Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry will ensure that your child doesn’t experience any anxiety or discomfort during the procedure. Sedation is most often used in these cases:  

• Dental anxiety: The good news is that sedation dentistry can help your child deal with dental anxiety. After having a positive experience at the dentist’s office where they are sedated during the treatment, they can build their confidence and let go of their fears when returning to the dentist.
• Kids with special needs: Children with special health care needs, including certain medical, emotional, or behavioral considerations, whose actions or movements during dental procedures could cause them harm.
• Kids who need several dental treatments done at the same time: If your child has multiple dental issues that need to be addressed in one dental visit, sedation dentistry can help them remain comfortable throughout an extended visit. 

Sedation dentistry is also recommended if your child has trouble sitting still, extreme gag reflex, or low pain threshold.

Conscious Sedation in Pediatric Dentistry

At Star Kids Dentistry, we provide oral conscious sedation for kids who may need some extra help getting through dental treatment. We use two types of sedation dentistry at our Lexington, KY practice: 

• Oral medication: This involves your child taking a sedative by mouth. The oral medication usually begins to work within 45 minutes and will keep your child relaxed and calm during the procedure. Your kid will be conscious during the procedure, though they may be drowsy.
• Nitrous Oxide: Also known as the “laughing gas,” this form of sedation is a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen administered to your child through a mask placed over your child’s nose. They breathe it in for a few minutes, and once the gas takes effect, your child will feel calm, relaxed, and euphoric. They will be awake and able to respond to commands. When the procedure is complete, the nitrous oxide will be turned off, and your child will breathe in pure oxygen for about 5 minutes to clear out any remaining gas.

Is Children’s Sedation Dentistry Safe?

Sedation dentistry is completely safe, painless, and effective under the supervision of our licensed and trained pediatric dentist. Dr. Jackson will administer the appropriate dosages of sedation medication based on your child’s weight and monitor them closely throughout the procedure to ensure they are safe and comfortable. Sedation’s side effects include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, sore throat, and/or blood pressure changes. These side effects are usually mild, brief, and treatable. 

How Long Does Dental Sedation Last?

The effects of the medication used during dental sedation vary by patient. The average amount of time an appointment will last is approximately one hour.