Sedation Dentistry
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, sometimes referred to as “laughing gas,” is an effective and safe sedation agent that is inhaled through a mask that fits over your child’s nose. Mixed with oxygen, nitrous oxide allows the patient to breathe normally through their nose, and within minutes they should start to feel the effects. They may feel light-headed or notice a tingling in their arms and legs. Some patients comment that their legs and arms feel heavy. Ultimately, they should feel comfortable and calm. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly after the mask is removed. Talk to the doctor about whether nitrous oxide would be a good option for your child.
- Have your child refrain from eating for 2 hours prior to the appointment. If your child must eat, please provide only a light snack to prevent nausea or vomiting.
- Nitrous Oxide is delivered through a mask over the nose, so please be sure to let our team know if your child has any conditions that may make breathing through their nose difficult and reducing the nitrous oxide's effectiveness.
- Please make our team aware of both over-the-counter and prescription medications that your child takes on a regular basis or that they may be taking on the day of the appointment.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is a light level of sedation. Patients drink a medication that makes them drowsy and relaxed. Patients typically remain awake during treatment but occasionally fall asleep because they are so relaxed.
- A sedation consent must be signed by the parent or legal guardian prior to your child's sedation appointment. If the parent or legal guardian will not be accompanying the child to the sedation appointment and a consent is not signed by the parent or legal guardian, your child's appointment will be rescheduled. Because your child may still be drowsy after treatment, we recommend that more than one person come to the appointment to assist in managing your child on the way home.
- If your child develops a fever, cold, cough, runny nose or any other symptoms within 7 days prior to the day of treatment, please call us. It may be necessary to reschedule the sedation appointment.
- Do not give your child ANYTHING to eat or drink after midnight the night before the appointment. (Nothing after getting up in the morning.) This is for your child's safety.
- Notify us of any medications that have been given to your child within the last 24 hours before the sedation appointment. It is very important for your dentist to know because some medications may interact with the medication that we will be giving your child. Give your child only those medicatios he/she routinely takes unless otherwise instructed by the dentist.
- Dress your child in loose, light, comfortable clothing. (Pajamas are appropriate.) Bring a change of clothing for your child. Please remove any nail polish from your child's fingernails and toenails.
- Upon arriving for the appointment, your child will be given the sedative medication. If your child does not take the medication within a reasonable amount of time, it may be necessary to reschedule the appointment. The medication that your child will be given will NOT put your child to sleep. He/She may be very drowsy and fall asleep on their own during treatment. The sedation medication will take approximately 5 to 15 minutes to begin taking effect. The medication will take full effect after approximately 20 minutes At this time, your child will be taken to the treatment area, and you will be asked to remain in the lobby until treatment is finished.
- Your child may be wrapped in our pedi-wrap during treatment. The pedi-wrap is a comfortable, protective device that resembles a sleeping bag. It is used to secure your child while treatment is performed to prevent him/her from rolling over or making unexpected movements during the procedure.
- Your child's heart rate, breathing, and oxygen saturation will be monitored throughout the treatment.
- It is important that you inform us if you cannot keep this appointment because sedation appointment times are very limited. If you are late for the sedation appointment, your child may be rescheduled. If you fail to keep this appointment without giving 24 hour notice, we may not be able to reschedule your appointment. Payment for treatment is due in full on the day of your child's sedation visit.
Please read carefully and follow all instructions after your child's sedation appointment.
ACTIVITY: Because your child may still be drowsy, he/she should rest at home today. Your child may need assistance with walking. Limit activity to indoors and closely supervise your child for the rest of the day. Do not allow your child to climb, run, ride a bicycle or participate in any other activity that requires balance.
REST: The effects of the medication may linger throughout the day. It is not unusual for children to go home and sleep for 2 to 4 hours. Some children experience irritability and mood swings for a period of time, but this will soon pass. While sleeping, try to keep your child on his/her side (not on his/her back).
NUMBNESS: If your child's lips, cheeks, and tongue are numb, watch their mouth closely for the next 2 hours. DO NOT allow your child to eat anything that has to be chewed until the numbness is gone. You may feed your child soft food such as pudding, ice cream, or applesauce that does not require chewing. Be sure your child is not chewing, sucking, pinching, or playing with the lips or cheeks. Doing so can cause significant injury to the soft tissues of the mouth.
DIET: Encourage your child to drink plenty of liquids throughout the day to prevent dehydration. If your child has any teeth removed, do not allow him/her to drink through a straw for 24 hours.
PAIN: It is normal for your child to have some discomfort or soreness. You may give Children's Tylenol or Children's Advil according to the directions on the bottle.
BLEEDING: Some dental procedures cause bleeding which is easily controlled by having your child bite tightly on a piece of the gauze that you have been given.
FEVER: If your child's temperature is elevated, give Children's Tylenol or Children's Advil according to the directions on the bottle. Give plenty of fluids throughout the day.
ORAL HYGIENE: Although your child's mouth may be sore, it is important to keep the mouth clean while it is healing. Brush gently today and return to normal brushing tomorrow.
CALL OUR OFFICE IF YOUR CHILD HAS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Vomiting Multiple Times
- Fever
- Breathing Problems
- Prolonged Sleepiness
- Prolonged Bleeding
Por favor, lea cuidadosamente y siga todas las instrucciones después de la cita de sedación de su niño. Algunas veces los efectos después del tratamiento son mínimos, no todas estas instrucciones pueden aplicar. Pero si tiene duda, siga estas pautas o llame a nuestra oficina.
ACTIVIDAD: Debido a que su niño aún todavia puede estar somnoliento, debe descansar en casa hoy y permanecer bajo supervisión adulta hasta recobrarse totalmente de los efectos de la sedación. Su niño puede necesitar ayuda para caminar. Límite su actividad a espacios interiores solamente y supervise su niño de cerca durante el resto del día.
REPOSO: No es inusual que los niños regresen a casa y duerman de 2 a 4 horas. Mientras duerme, asegúrese de que su niño duerma de lado y no de espalda. Algunos niños experiencian irritabilidad y cambios de humor por un período de tiempo pero pronto pasará.
ENTUMECIMIENTO: Si los labios, las mejillas y la lengua de su niño están entumecidos, debe ser monitoreado de cerca durante las 2 horas siguientes. NO permita que su niño coma hasta que el entumecimiento desaparezca. Asegúrese de que no esté masticando, chupando, pellizcando o jugando con sus labios o mejillas.
DOLOR/FIEBRE: Desafortunadamente, tratamiento dental se acompaña con cierto grado de incomodidad. Si es necesario, se puede dar Tylenol o Advil para niños para el dolor o fiebre. Para la dosis, siga las instrucciones del envase.
DIETA: Anime a su niño a beber muchos líquidos durante todo el día para prevenir la deshidratación. Si su niño le extrajeron un diente, no le permita beber de una pajita durante 24 horas.
SANGRADO: Algunos procedimientos dentales causan sangrado que se controla fácilmente haciendo que su niño muerda fuertemente en un pedazo de gasa.
HIGIENE ORAL: A pesar de que la boca de su niño puede presentar dolor, es importante mantener la boca limpia mientras está sanando. Cepille suavemente hoy y vuelva al cepillado normal mañana.
LLAME A NUESTRA OFICINA INMEDIATAMENTE SI SU NIÑO TIENE:
- Náuseas o vómitos frecuentes
- Fiebre
- Problemas Respiratorios
- Somnolencia Prolongada
- Sangrado o Dolor Prolongado
IV Sedation
IV sedation is a deeper level of sedation and patients sleep throughout their treatment. This type of sedation is provided in our office by a certified anesthesiologist with Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates. An IV is placed after your child is asleep with a twilight medication injection. Our doctors are accompanied with a medical team who care for your child.
- A sedation consent must be signed by the parent or legal guardian prior to your child's sedation appointment. If the parent or legal guardian will not be accompanying the child to the sedation appointment and a consent is not signed by the parent or legal guardian, your child's appointment will be rescheduled. Because your child may still be drowsy after treatment, we recommend that more than one person come to the appointment to assist in managing your child on the way home.
- If your child develops a fever, cold, cough, runny nose or any other symptoms within 7 days prior to the day of treatment, please call us. It may be necessary to reschedule the sedation appointment.
- Do not give your child ANYTHING to eat or drink after midnight the night before the appointment. (Nothing after getting up in the morning.) This is for your child's safety.
- Notify us of any medications that have been given to your child within the last 24 hours before the sedation appointment. It is very important for your dentist to know because some medications may interact with the medication that we will be giving your child. Give your child only those medicatios he/she routinely takes unless otherwise instructed by the dentist.
- Dress your child in loose, light, comfortable clothing. (Pajamas are appropriate.) Bring a change of clothing for your child. Please remove any nail polish from your child's fingernails and toenails.
- Upon arriving for the appointment, your child will be given the sedative medication. If your child does not take the medication within a reasonable amount of time, it may be necessary to reschedule the appointment. The medication that your child will be given will NOT put your child to sleep. He/She may be very drowsy and fall asleep on their own during treatment. The sedation medication will take approximately 5 to 15 minutes to begin taking effect. The medication will take full effect after approximately 20 minutes At this time, your child will be taken to the treatment area, and you will be asked to remain in the lobby until treatment is finished.
- Your child may be wrapped in our pedi-wrap during treatment. The pedi-wrap is a comfortable, protective device that resembles a sleeping bag. It is used to secure your child while treatment is performed to prevent him/her from rolling over or making unexpected movements during the procedure.
- Your child's heart rate, breathing, and oxygen saturation will be monitored throughout the treatment.
- It is important that you inform us if you cannot keep this appointment because sedation appointment times are very limited. If you are late for the sedation appointment, your child may be rescheduled. If you fail to keep this appointment without giving 24 hour notice, we may not be able to reschedule your appointment. Payment for treatment is due in full on the day of your child's sedation visit.
MEDICATIONS
Continue any medications prescribed by your physician.
Give Tylenol or Motrin (Ibuprofen) for discomfort as necessary.
Motrin (Ibuprofen) can cause nausea on an empty stomach
If your doctor/dentist orders something stronger please use it as directed.
DIET
Gradually progress from clear liquids to soft foods as tolerated.
Be careful not to bite a numb lip or tongue
If teeth were extracted, no straws for 24 hours
The patient should rest quietly in the care of a responsible adult today.
For a few hours after the procedure:
Flushing or redness of face and body may occur.
The patient may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, double vision and sleepiness.
Young children may be irritable and restless.
- To avoid injury children will need constant attention for 3-4 hours and should not climb, ride bicycles or other riding toys for 24 hours.
- Adult patients should not drive for 24 hours.
WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR
Temperature greater than 101° F
Persistent vomiting; more than 3 or 4 times at home.
Any unusual symptoms or problems that concern you.
General Anesthesia/Hospital Dentistry
- To ensure your child's safety, we require a physical evaluation prior to the administration of general anesthesia for dental procedures. Our team will provide further information about any evaluations that may be required.
- It is important that you let us know if your child becomes ill before their general anesthesia appointment. In certain instances, we may need to reschedule the appointment.
- Be sure to carefully follow the instructions for fasting from both food and fluids prior to the general anesthesia appointment.
MEDICATIONS
Continue any medications prescribed by your physician.
Give Tylenol or Motrin (Ibuprofen) for discomfort as necessary.
Motrin (Ibuprofen) can cause nausea on an empty stomach
If your doctor/dentist orders something stronger please use it as directed.
DIET
Gradually progress from clear liquids to soft foods as tolerated.
Be careful not to bite a numb lip or tongue
If teeth were extracted, no straws for 24 hours
The patient should rest quietly in the care of a responsible adult today.
For a few hours after the procedure:
Flushing or redness of face and body may occur.
The patient may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, double vision and sleepiness.
Young children may be irritable and restless.
- To avoid injury children will need constant attention for 3-4 hours and should not climb, ride bicycles or other riding toys for 24 hours.
- Adult patients should not drive for 24 hours.
WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR
Temperature greater than 101° F
Persistent vomiting; more than 3 or 4 times at home.
Any unusual symptoms or problems that concern you.
Additional Treatment Instructions
Learn more about preparing your child for sedation dentistry.