Ensuring Patient Comfort With Our Sedation Options

Posted February 16, 2022

When we see children for treatment, we want to make sure they enjoy a comfortable and relaxing environment, one that reduces anxiety for future appointments. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about the three sedation options we use in addition to local anesthetic to help kids stay comfortable!

Choosing the Right Option for Your Child

Did you know that our team includes trained anesthesiologists who will be on hand to monitor your child through their treatment? In addition, they are also members of the Pediatric Anesthesia Associations and are board-certified specialists as well. Which means we have experts on hand to help choose the best option for your little one. This decision takes age, weight, medical history, and more into account. We also want to know the level of anxiety your child feels about treatment.

Nitrous Oxide

The most common option is nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. This is administered to our patients through a mask over the nose. The child will enter a calm and relaxed state, but will remain conscious. Some have little memory of the procedure, but can still respond to the dentist as needed. The calming effects are immediate, but they also wear off quickly. In fact, your child could return to school! But sometimes, we need to offer our young patients a more serious calming agent, which is why we have oral and IV sedation too.

Oral and IV Sedation

We have two options that offer a deeper level of relaxation. This could be due to severe anxiety, special needs, or the fact they’re undergoing a more extensive treatment, such as a tooth extraction. Oral sedation is given in liquid or pill form prior to the procedure, and offers a deeper state of calm. IV is the deepest calming agent available. Both have effects that take time to wear off, so your little one may feel a little groggy afterward. We will provide detailed aftercare instructions as necessary, and will likely see your child in a follow-up visit shortly after.

If you have any questions about our calming agents, or about the treatments we offer for kids in our community, then contact our team today to learn more. We hope to see your little one soon at their next checkup and cleaning visit.

Your Dallas, TX, Pediatric Dentist Talks About Calming Patients

Our team wants to help your little one feel comfortable and calm throughout the treatment process. If you would like to learn more about our calming options, then contact your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880. Routine care helps kids enjoy healthy, bright smiles, and also allows our team to instill good oral health habits and reduce dental anxiety!