Visiting the dentist can be nerve-wracking for anyone, but this is particularly true for young children. Even if you’ve been diligent about taking your child to the dentist regularly, having some type of dental procedure can be scary for your little one. Fortunately, modern dental technology provides a variety of dental sedation methods, many of which are completely safe and appropriate for children. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) provides a complete set of guidelines for dentists and oral surgeons. These rules dictate which forms of sedation are safe for kids, as well as the circumstances under which they should be administered. These guidelines are designed to ensure that sedation given to children is not only effective, but completely safe.
The type of sedation your child will need depends on a lot of different factors, including what type of procedure needs to be done, how long it will take, and the age of your child. Your dentist or oral surgeon will likely recommend which will be appropriate for your little patient. What follows are the different types of sedation offered by most dentists and oral surgeons.
Types of Dental Sedation and Anesthesia Available for Children
- Nitrous oxide: Also referred to as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is an excellent choice for kids going through a relatively simple, short procedure. The child remains completely awake – but also completely relaxed – until the effects wear off. Nitrous oxide might make your little one a bit giggly as well.
- Mild to moderate oral sedation: Typically given in the form of a pill that the patient takes prior to the dental procedure, this form of sedation is more appropriate for older children. Most young people remain awake throughout the procedure, but completely at ease and relaxed. Although they do remain awake, they may not remember everything that takes place during the visit.
- IV sedation: This form of sedation ensures that your child will sleep throughout the course of the procedure, and is sometimes recommended for more complicated procedures that take longer to complete. The idea of IV sedation may be unsettling for parents, but due to the guidelines set forth by the AAPD, an independent observer (usually an anesthesiologist) will be present and will monitor all your child’s vital signs throughout the procedure.
- General anesthesia: Typically only used for oral surgery, general anesthesia is administered by an anesthesiologist and ensures that your child will remain completely asleep and free from any pain or discomfort throughout the procedure.
To find out more about dental sedation methods for children, and to get a recommendation regarding which is best for your child, talk to your dentist or oral surgeon.
