Sedation Dentistry – Cumming, GA
How We Take the Stress Out of Dental Care
You don’t need to be a pediatric dentist to know that many children aren’t exactly fans of receiving dental care. In fact, some are downright terrified! Whether you have a child with dental anxiety or one with special needs that makes routine care a challenge, our team can use sedation dentistry to ensure a smooth and productive visit every time. We offer different levels of sedation that can be fully-tailored for each child, so the next time your little one needs a cleaning or filling, you can both enjoy a relaxing experience. To learn more about your child’s options for sedation denistry in Cumming, GA, give Village Pediatric Dentistry a call today.
Why Choose Village Pediatric Dentistry for Sedation Dentistry?
- Sedation Available for Every Type of Procedure
- Special-Needs Children Welcome
- Warm, Friendly, & Understanding Team
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Nitrous oxide sedation is fast, gentle, and so effective that it has been used by dentists for over 100 years to soothe anxious patients of all ages. Your child will breathe in the odorless gas through a small nasal mask throughout their appointment, during which it will make them feel light, happy, and slightly numb all over. Another big advantage when using nitrous oxide is that once the mask is removed, a child will feel completely normal within minutes, able to quickly resume their regular day.
IV Sedation Dentistry
IV sedation involves administering a sedative directly into the bloodstream via an injection in the hand or arm. It’s typically recommended for children with moderate dental anxiety or those who need more extensive care. Once the sedative is flowing, a child will become deeply relaxed almost immediately, and we can adjust their sedation level in real-time to ensure they are completely comfortable at every moment.
Hospital & Operating Room Anesthesia
For children with special needs, or those who are extremely afraid of the dentist, we can provide a type of sedation that puts them to sleep and allows them to remain unconscious throughout their entire appointment. Afterward, they’ll wake up and not be able to remember a thing. Typically, this type of sedation is used in a hospital setting so we can monitor your child’s breathing and heart-rate at the same time to guarantee their safety.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is sedation dentistry safe for kids?
Yes, when provided by a qualified pediatric sedation dentist in Cumming, sedation dentistry is very safe for children. In fact, if they’re afraid of dental treatment, it can even help them be less anxious to see the dentist later in life!
In most cases, Dr. Podray-Donovan will recommend starting your child with nitrous oxide, but for children who have more severe anxiety or who have physical or mental disabilities that make dental treatment a challenge, IV sedation might be a better option.
Please let us know if your little one has any health conditions or is taking any medications, (even over the counter vitamins or supplements) to avoid negative interactions.
Sometimes, dental sedation can upset little tummies, so we recommend restricting your child’s food and water right before their procedure. We will provide more detailed instructions before your appointment.
If they will be receiving IV sedation, your child may be very groggy or clumsy following their procedure, so be sure to monitor them closely until bedtime.
Will my child remember anything with dental sedation?
Although your child will still technically be awake with some forms of dental sedation, the good news is they probably won’t remember a whole lot. IV sedation is the most likely method to allow them to forget their treatment, while they’ll likely be able to recall everything with nitrous oxide.
For general anesthesia, they will be completely asleep and should not remember or feel anything.
Thankfully, any memory loss created by sedation should only pertain to the procedure itself and will have no permanent effects. In most cases, this makes it much easier for kids who are extremely anxious or scared, because it won’t create any new fears of the dentist since they won’t remember their treatment!
What are the risks of sedation dentistry?
The great news is that sedation dentistry is safe for most children; however, there are still some patients it is not recommended for, such as those with sleep apnea or who are taking certain medications. This is why it is so important to let your pediatric sedation dentist in Cumming know about all of your child’s medications and medical conditions – even over the counter vitamins and supplements.
Please be aware that every child reacts differently to dental sedation and the medications your pediatric dentist may use during treatment. Following their procedure, they may experience mild side-effects like grogginess, headache, and nausea. For nitrous oxide, they may bruise more easily following treatment. If this occurs, be sure to let us or their pediatrician know.
How long does dental sedation last?
The exact length of time your child’s dental sedation will last depends on which type of sedative they’re receiving.
With nitrous oxide, the colorless gas will leave their system within about five minutes after they stop inhaling it. To help this process along, your pediatric sedation dentist in Cumming will have them breathe pure oxygen through their mask for five minutes before dismissing them. Depending on the procedure, they should be able to return to school and their regular daily activities immediately after.
For children who will be receiving IV sedation or general anesthesia, the effects should wear off quickly after their procedure, but they’ll likely still feel sleepy for the rest of the day. Thus, you may want to keep them home from school and extracurricular activities until the next day, provided they are otherwise feeling up to it.